HMC holds events to mark World Asthma Day

To raise awareness about the health consequences and personal and financial costs of asthma, Hamad Medical Corporation (HMC) recently participated in activities marking both World Asthma Day and Asthma Awareness Month. Held throughout May, the theme for this year’s Asthma Awareness Month is “You Can Control Your Asthma.”

HMC joined the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), and the Global Initiative for Asthma (GINA) in encouraging people with asthma to learn more about how to control the condition and prevent asthma episodes. World Asthma Day is an annual event organized by the GINA to improve asthma awareness and care around the world.

The Pulmonary/Allergy Division at HMC’s Department of Medicine organized a series of activities to mark the day. Dr. Hisham Ahmed, Chief of the Pulmonary/Allergy Division said the main goal of the day was to increase awareness among the public about asthma, its diagnosis, and tips to prevent worsening of asthma symptoms.

“World Asthma Day is a major event which is celebrated annually on 2 May around the world. We are pleased to celebrate World Asthma Day for the first time this year at HMC. Through activities held during the day, we hope to improve public understanding of asthma and encourage affected persons to properly take care of themselves,” said Dr. Ahmed.

In recognition of the day, two large tents were situated at the female entrance of Hamad General Hospital’s Outpatient Department. In one tent, staff from the Pulmonary Division offered visitors an explanation of asthma as a disease and provided a general demonstration on how to use asthma devices and inhalers.

The second tent was dedicated to performing PFTs (pulmonary function test) on asthmatic patients and other hospital visitors to demonstrate both normal and abnormal ranges of spirometry (a test used to diagnose asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and other conditions that affect breathing). There was also a video presentation projected on a screen highlighting the characteristics of asthma as a disease. Young visitors were treated to an interactive play area where they were invited to draw and color images related to the respiratory system.

According to Ms. Khawla Juma Al Hitmi, HMC Asthma Educator, a major objective of the day included educating patients about the disease to help prevent any adverse impacts from an asthma attack.

“People with asthma can help prevent asthma attacks if they learn how to avoid asthma triggers like tobacco smoke, mold, outdoor air pollution, and colds and flu,” said Ms. Al Hitmi.

She explained that asthma episodes can also be prevented with inhaled corticosteroids and other prescribed daily long-term control medicines.

According to the US CDC, asthma is a disease that affects the lungs. It is one of the most common long-term diseases among children. Asthma causes wheezing, breathlessness, chest tightness, and coughing. While the causes of asthma are often unknown, and it also has no known cure, it is often linked to a family history.

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