In partnership with the West Bengal Chapter of Paediatric Pulmonology, Manipal Hospitals in Mukundapur organised a special awareness program focused on paediatric asthma to raise awareness of a frequently disregarded medical condition. The occasion was planned in honour of World Asthma Day, which is observed on May 6th worldwide each year. Leading paediatric intensive care specialists, cardiologists, paediatric pulmonologists, paediatricians, and neonatologists from Manipal Hospitals in Kolkata participated in the lively sessions and offered their insightful opinions on the significance of such campaigns in educating the public about the intricacies of childhood asthma.

The event was attended by prominent clinicians from Manipal Hospitals like Dr. Saumen Meur, Paediatric Intensive Care Lead & Head of Paediatrics, Manipal Hospital, Mukundapur, Dr. Monideepa Dutta, Consultant, Paediatric Intensive Care, Manipal Hospital, Mukundapur, Dr. Prof. Partha Sarathi, Senior Consultant, Cardiology, Manipal hospital, Salt Lake, Dr. Pallab Chatterjee, Senior Consultant, Paediatrician & Neonatologist, Manipal Hospital, Salt Lake Dr. Sayantan Bhowmick, Consultant, Paediatric Pulmonology, Manipal Hospital, Mukundapur.

Approximately 10% of children worldwide suffer from asthma, a chronic inflammatory disease of the airways. Asthma, particularly paediatric asthma, is becoming a growing concern in India as a result of changing lifestyles, increased exposure to allergens, and rising pollution levels. However, despite its high prevalence, a large number of children in Eastern India still struggle with symptoms that are either mislabeled or undiagnosed, frequently being confused with allergic coughs, bronchitis, or recurrent respiratory infections. Due to this diagnostic ambiguity, children and families experience emotional distress, reduced lung health, needless antibiotic use, and absenteeism from school.

Myths about inhalers being dangerous or addictive can delay prompt and effective treatment. Families are reluctant to accept a diagnosis of asthma because of the stigma attached to the condition. One must enable families to take charge of their child’s health journey by educating carers and demystifying asthma management tools. Crucially, children’s lung development can be permanently hampered by untreated or inadequately managed asthma; this is a risk we cannot afford to ignore. Notably, knowing how to use an inhaler correctly is just as crucial to ensuring that drugs enter the lungs efficiently. Younger patients frequently struggle with device compliance, so healthcare providers should periodically check to see if they are using the inhaler correctly.

Priyanka Dutta