Ministry of Health, private sector team up to tackle asthma

Al Baraha Hospital hosted here today an Open Day for the public with free sessions on how to manage asthma, in an effort to better support the 13-15 percent of UAE residents who suffer from the chronic condition. Organised by the World Asthma Day Organising Committee, Al Baraha Hospital, supported by Ministry of Health and AstraZeneca Gulf, the all-day event, held in line with World Asthma Day, included presentations by specialists, educational videos, demonstrations According to studies conducted in the UAE, one in eight adults and approximately 13 percent of children between the ages of 6 -13 suffer from this chronic respiratory condition. Another study revealed that during 2010, half of the children and almost one-fifth of the adults missed school or work due to their condition. The same study also reported that 64 percent of patients experienced sudden and severe asthma attacks during the year . "Asthma is responsible for 1 in 250 deaths worldwide, most of which are completely preventable. Proper management and control is the key to ensuring asthma patients enjoy a long and fulfilling life, and this was the objective of our open day - to educate the public on the importance of being disciplined when managing their condition, being aware of the triggers and being prepared for any situation," said Dr. Osama Younis AttarBashi, Consultant Paediatrician and Neonatologist, Head of Pediatric Department, Al-Baraha Hospital, UAE Ministry of Health. Dr Hala Farag, Consultant Paediatrician at Al-Baraha Hospital, UAE Ministry of Health, said, "Respiratory conditions may seem restricting initially, but with proper control and management patients can continue to engage in day-to-day activities without the fear of an attack. In the case of children with milder forms of asthma, if managed well, they can outgrow their symptoms with age." Asthma is caused by inflammation in the airways. When an asthma attack occurs, the muscles surrounding the airways become tight and the lining of the air passages swells. This reduces the amount of air that can pass by. Asthma causes recurring episodes of wheezing, breathlessness, chest tightness, and coughing, particularly at night or in the early morning. Asthma is chronic and cannot be cured. In the UAE, allergens like dust mites in humid areas and non-organic dust, such as from sandstorms, are triggers that asthmatics need to be aware of and try to avoid. The cold weather, although not as extreme as other countries, can also be a concern, as well as infections such as the common cold that spreads when the weather changes. "For decades, AstraZeneca has been talking respiratory disorders among children and adults around the world. The relatively high prevalence among children and adults, and the stigma which surrounds asthmatic patients indicates that there is a need for more public awareness. Through events such as the Open Day at Al-Bahara Hospital, we can provide the public easy access to the expertise and support patients and their families who need to better understand asthmatic symptoms to learn how to control it and lead a better quality of life. At AstraZeneca, we understand the importance of how Health Connects Us All, and through partnerships with the UAE Ministry of Health and leading specialists, we continue to look for ways beyond medicines, to help tackle asthma here in the UAE, " said Samer Al Hallaq, AstraZeneca Gulf President