Originally published November 27 2005
World Asthma Day focuses on the fate of asthmatics in developing nations
by Mike Adams, the Health Ranger, NaturalNews Editor
At World Asthma Day 2005, Penang Chief Minister Tan Sri Dr Koh Tsu Koon talked about the low rate of asthma in developing countries and the high level of fatalities among these small populations of asthmatics, which he attributes to unaffordable treatments and a lack of knowledge about the disease.
DEVELOPING nations record a low rate of asthma but a high fatality rate compared with developed countries, said Penang Chief Minister Tan Sri Dr Koh Tsu Koon.
The high death rate was due to expensive treatment cost which many could not afford, and the lack of knowledge about the disease, he said.
"The main factor for the increasing rate of asthma in developing countries is air pollution caused by smoke from cigarettes, vehicles and factories," he said.
About 300 million people worldwide were suffering from asthma and one in every 250 patients died of the disease, he said in his speech read out by state Health Committee chairman P. K. Subbaiyah at the opening of the national-level World Asthma Day 2005 celebrations here on Thursday.
Visitors to the exhibition(from left)Hasbullah Din,48,Zaitun Husin,55,and Mohd Sabri,52,using the Peakflow Meter to detect any airway obstruction and to measure their lung capacity.
In Penang last year, Dr Koh said about 7,200 asthma patients underwent emergency treatment while 1,300 severe cases were referred to the Respiratory Clinic in the Penang Hospital.
He said if asthma was diagnosed early, proper treatment could be given and patients would be able to learn how to prevent a fatal asthma attack.
Health Ministry deputy director-general (public health) Datuk Dr Shafie Ooyub said 44% of asthma patients could not perform recreational or sports activities while 52% of asthmatic children could not attend school.
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