Asthma a growing concern amid rising pollution, say experts

World Asthma Day, a global healthcare event, is being observed today (Tuesday).

The day is marked on the first Tuesday of May every year by various global and local organisations to raise awareness about asthma, a major non-communicable disease. The theme of the day this year is "Make Inhaled Treatments Accessible for All".

Asthma is the most frequent chronic conditions among children and adults worldwide. The World Health Organisation (WHO) lists the disease as both a factor and an effect of poverty in low and middle-income countries. WHO quoting 2019 statistics says more than 260 million people suffer from asthma, with a mortality count of 0.45 million globally.

In Bangladesh, an estimated 11.6 million people, including 4.1 million children, are experiencing asthma-related symptoms.

Asthma leaves a lot of impact, including health-related ones, on the people afflicted with the disease. It also affects the quality of life, which can lead to missed school, work and can negatively impact family and community finances.

Experts blame the growing number of asthma patients in Bangladesh on the deteriorating environmental situation and socio-economic factors. Most cities in the country have been experiencing a continuous decline in environmental conditions.

It is not just outdoor pollution that affects health-indoor air quality plays a critical role as well. The guidelines published by the WHO several years back noted that occupants of damp and mouldy buildings do face the greater risk of respiratory symptoms and asthma. The guidelines recommended the prevention or remediation of dampness and mould-related problems.

"A number of people develop respiratory problems due to their nature of work and dwelling facilities. Professionals and workers exposed to dust for a long period are at risk of falling victim to chronic asthma," said Assistant Professor of Respiratory Medicine at the NIDCH Dr. Zahirul Islam Shakil. People residing in rooms with damp walls could become vulnerable to the disease, he added.

Damp walls promote the growth of mould and dust mites. They also lower indoor air quality, increase humidity, and can lead to cold, musty conditions that irritate the lungs and airways, leading to more frequent coughing, wheezing, and asthma attacks.

Both United Nation's 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and WHO's Global Action Plan for the Prevention and Control of Non-communicable Diseases recognize asthma as priority and list various strategies to increase asthma diagnosis, prevention and treatment. Physicians dealing with respiratory diseases underscore the need for following the roadmap of these two international bodies locally to help prevent the rise in the number of asthma patients.

Mr Shakil, who is also the President of the Chest and Heart Association of Bangladesh (CHAB), said majority of the patients remain unaware of the disease often leading to severity, especially for elderly people and children. In addition, there is a lack of specialised hospital like the NIDCH, which accommodates 620 beds only, he said.

Referring to a larger number of patients in the country, he said: "Dealing with a huge number of patients is a major challenge as there are only 600 physicians providing consultation."

Highlighting the role of CHAB, which has been working to raise awareness and doing advocacy for better treatment for the disease, he said the platform would celebrate its golden jubilee on May 11. He said asthma remains prevalent due to rampant pollution across the country. "A populous city like Dhaka often tops the list of cities with the highest level of air pollution in different global reports."

During a visit to the outpatient department of the NIDCH on Sunday, it was found completely packed with patients waiting in a long queue to see doctors.

Khorshed Ahmed, a construction worker by profession, came to hospital from Narayanganj as he had been suffering from frequent coughing for one month.

Despite trying several medicines from a local dispensary, he failed to fully recover. "I've come here for better treatment as the hospital offers various diagnosis services at much lower cost compared to private facilities," said Mr Ahmed who supports a family of four.

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