World Asthma Day
Columbia Asia Hospital, Ghaziabad reaches out to traffic police, distributes masks to create awareness on rising asthma cases
· The hospital distributed masks to traffic police to help them protect against inhaling polluted air
· Columbia Asia Hospital’s initiative is aimed to create awareness and warn the traffic police personal against the increase in level of air pollution that is further triggering Asthma
Ghaziabad, 18 May 2016: Owing to the high levels of air pollution, Asthma is certainly on the rise in Ghaziabad. As per WHO, nearly 15-20 million people in India are suffering from asthma. The condition not only affects the adults but children, as young as 5-11 years are also falling prey to the disease.
With traffic police being extremely vulnerable to inhaling air pollution, Columbia Asia Hospital, Ghaziabad today distributed masks to traffic police at few of the busiest traffic signals in the city, including Hapur Chunggi and Bahmeta red lights, to help protect them against inhaling polluted air. Shri Rajesh Kumar, SP (Traffic Police) and Mr. Gaurav Khurana, General Manager, Columbia Asia Hospital, Ghaziabad, distributed masks to the police personal and talked to them about importance of keeping themselves protected from the harmful pollutant air particles as they do their duty.
Extending the initiative beyond the occasion, the hospital will further hold an awareness session on 5th May sensitizing the traffic police personal about tips to avoiding asthma via polluted air, and also draw their attention towards the rise in pollution that is further raising the cases of asthma in India.
“Over the years, asthma has become the most common chronic disease among adults as well as in children. Asthma is a chronic disease characterized by recurrent attacks of breathlessness and wheezing. While there are several causes, air & industrial pollution stands as well-documented trigger for asthma. In a city like Ghaziabad, air pollution is breaching the tolerance levels owing to its industrial & vehicular pollution. While we talk about air pollution, traffic officials are most vulnerable to asthma as their job nature demands constant exposure to air pollution caused by the passing vehicles & dust. Therefore, through our initiative we not only intend to help these officials to protect them from inhaling the polluted air, but also create a general awareness regarding the rise in asthma cases in the country. With numbers increasing every year, it is necessary for every individual, young or old, to notice and treat the early symptoms with early medication to control asthma,” said Dr Harnish Vohra, Consultant, Pulmonology, Columbia Asia Hospital, Ghaziabad.
During an asthma attack, the lining of the bronchial tubes swell, causing the airways to narrow and reducing the flow of air into and out of the lungs. Recurrent asthma symptoms frequently cause sleeplessness, daytime fatigue, reduced activity levels and school and work absenteeism. Asthma has a relatively low fatality rate compared to other chronic diseases. While some asthmatic symptoms are mild and go away on their own with minimal medication, other continues to get worse. When symptoms get more intense and/or more symptoms occur, it is called Asthma attack. They are also known as flare-ups or exacerbations.
“The increase in number of people suffering from asthma has become a major concern. While earlier we used to receive cases of adults and aged suffering from the condition, now we receive relatively more number of pediatric asthma patients, in our hospital as well. Asthma has turned out to become a public health problem occurring in all income groups. Notably, over 80% of asthma deaths occur in low and lower-middle income countries. Hence, it becomes important to treat the symptoms when you first notice them, with right medication. It is also very important to understand, that Asthma can only be controlled, not cured completely,” added Dr Vohra.
For an asthmatic patient, it is important to practice yoga every day. The hospital gave tips like quitting smoking completely, avoiding inhaling polluted air such as smoke or dust. “The best precaution of asthma is to keep allergenic situations at bay. In case of children, parents need to be very alert and watchful. They should not take cough and breathlessness lightly. It could be an early symptom of asthma”, noted Mr Gaurav Khurana, General Manager, Columbia Asia Hospital, Ghaziabad.
The hospital will distribute masks to over 300 police personnel spread over 3 days across the city.
About Columbia Asia Hospitals Pvt. Ltd.
Columbia Asia Hospitals Pvt. Ltd. is the only company in India to utilize 100% foreign direct investment (FDI) route in the hospital sector.
About Columbia Asia Group of Companies
The Columbia Asia Group is owned by more than 150 private equity companies, fund management organizations and individual investors. The group currently operates eleven facilities in India and has presence in Ahmedabad, Bangalore, Gurgaon, Ghaziabad, Kolkata, Mysore, Patiala and Pune. The company also operates hospitals in Malaysia (11), Vietnam (3), and Indonesia (3). The Indian management operations are managed from its office in Bangalore.