By Dr. Venugopal Reddy I, Medical Director and Pediatrician, Ovum Woman and Child Specialty Hospital, Bangalore
Introduction
Every year, the first Tuesday of May is observed as World Asthma Day, and in 2025, it falls on May 6. This global health initiative, spearheaded by the Global Initiative for Asthma (GINA), aims to raise awareness about asthma—its prevention, diagnosis, and management.
This year’s theme, “Make Inhaled Treatments Accessible for All,” underscores a pressing challenge worldwide—ensuring that effective asthma treatments, especially inhaled medications, are available and affordable to every patient, regardless of geography or income.
Asthma: A Global and National Health Burden
Asthma is a chronic respiratory disease marked by inflammation and narrowing of the airways, resulting in wheezing, breathlessness, chest tightness, and coughing. According to the World Health Organization (WHO):
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260+ million people globally are affected by asthma.
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Over 461,000 deaths occur annually due to poorly managed asthma.
In India, more than 30 million individuals live with asthma, with children forming a significant part of this population. Rising urbanization, pollution, lifestyle changes, and lack of awareness have intensified the pediatric asthma burden. Despite this, inhaled corticosteroids (ICS)—the gold standard in asthma management—remain out of reach for many due to economic, educational, and logistical barriers.
Why Inhaled Treatments Matter
Inhaled therapies, including metered-dose inhalers (MDIs) and dry powder inhalers (DPIs), are not just tools—they are lifelines.
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They deliver medication directly to the lungs with minimal systemic side effects.
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Regular use improves long-term control and reduces emergency hospital visits.
However, in rural and low-resource areas:
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Many cannot afford inhalers.
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There’s widespread stigma and misinformation, with inhalers wrongly seen as a last resort.
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Oral medications are often prescribed instead, which are less effective and carry more side effects.
India’s Challenges in Asthma Management
1. Affordability
Controller inhalers (ICS) are often unaffordable for families in economically weaker sections. Cheaper rescue inhalers are overused, while maintenance therapy is underutilized.
2. Awareness
Parents delay treatment, mistaking asthma symptoms for colds or allergies. Myths like “inhalers cause addiction” still persist, preventing timely intervention.
3. Diagnosis
Asthma is frequently underdiagnosed, especially in children. Misdiagnosis delays appropriate treatment.
4. Technique and Monitoring
Even with access, incorrect inhaler use diminishes effectiveness. Both patients and health workers need better training.
A Multi-Pronged Call to Action
1. Strengthening Primary Healthcare
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Include ICS and bronchodilators in government-subsidized essential medicine lists.
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Integrate asthma care into Ayushman Bharat and other national health missions.
2. Launching Awareness Campaigns
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Utilize schools, mass media, and community outreach to dispel myths.
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Engage pediatricians, family physicians, and educators in asthma literacy efforts.
3. Training Healthcare Providers
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Train frontline workers in diagnosis, inhaler technique, and asthma action plans.
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Promote regular CME (Continuing Medical Education) modules for primary care doctors.
4. Encouraging Public-Private Partnerships
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Foster collaboration between government bodies, pharma companies, and NGOs to ensure affordable, high-quality inhalers.
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Support local production to reduce costs and increase availability.
5. Leveraging Technology and Data
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Promote mobile apps and telehealth for asthma monitoring and education.
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Create a National Asthma Registry to aid in surveillance and planning.
Children with Asthma: Special Attention Needed
Children with uncontrolled asthma suffer from:
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Poor academic performance,
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Sleep disturbances,
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Emotional stress, and
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Limited participation in physical activities.
At Ovum Woman and Child Specialty Hospital, we run pediatric asthma clinics that:
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Educate families,
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Offer lifestyle and environmental counseling, and
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Provide hands-on inhaler training.
We’ve seen remarkable improvements in children’s health and overall well-being when families are empowered with knowledge and resources.
Conclusion: From Awareness to Action
Asthma is treatable. No child—or adult—should suffer from breathlessness when safe, effective, and affordable treatments exist.
But until inhaled medications are accessible for all, we will continue to witness unnecessary suffering and preventable deaths.
This World Asthma Day 2025, let’s not stop at awareness.
Let’s move to action—to ensure that every child, every patient, everywhere has access to the treatment they deserve.
About the Author
Dr. Venugopal Reddy I is the Medical Director and Senior Pediatrician at Ovum Woman and Child Specialty Hospital, Bangalore. With a deep commitment to pediatric health, he is a prolific researcher and active community health advocate, working to improve child wellness across India.
