World Asthma Day to Raise Awareness on Managing Asthma in Malaysia

Asthma is one of the most prevalent respiratory illnesses in Malaysia and has been steadily increasing. In Malaysia, the estimated prevalence of asthma has risen in recent years from 6.4% to 9.4% in children aged 6-7 and from 9% to 13% in children aged 13–14.¹

Asthma Malaysia and AstraZeneca have once again partnered to organise the brand-new “Breathe Better” public campaign at the 1 Mont Kiara mall, in conjunction with World Asthma Day, in light of the rising number of asthma patients in Malaysia and the growing need to educate the public on asthma management.

The purpose of the event was to raise public awareness of the importance of managing asthma well. Dr. Helmy Haja Mydin, a consultant respiratory physician and co-founder of Asthma Malaysia, Dina Nadzir, a Malaysian singer, radio hostess, actress, and television presenter, and Ashwini Saha, a country medical director and the lead for AstraZeneca’s Asia Area Cardiovascular Metabolism Medical Therapeutic Area, officiated the ceremony.

Take Control of Your Asthma
With the theme ‘Take Control of Your Asthma’, the campaign’s goal was to inform participants of the value of using controller medication in addition to reliever medication to manage and treat asthma symptoms over the long term.

It is crucial to increase the knowledge and awareness of the public on how to manage asthma. Getting diagnosed early is vital in order to prevent attacks that can be both disabling and draining. Early and proper control with appropriate medication will not only prevent severe illness, but improve one’s quality of life especially in the face of haze and ongoing risks of respiratory infections. This campaign also serves as an opportunity for healthcare professionals and individuals with asthma to come together and share their experiences and insights with the aim of improving asthma care and management in Malaysia.

said Dr. Helmy in the Breathe Better campaign.

Asthma can be classified as mild, moderate and severe. Patients would need a range of medication types and dosages to control their condition, depending on its severity. In terms of managing asthma, each level calls for a different kind of care. Even when they are skilled at using the inhaler correctly, patients with severe asthma need extra care because they are more likely to experience frequent asthma attacks.

Dr. Helmy indicates that there is still little public knowledge of the three different degrees of severity. It is crucial to keep in mind that most asthma sufferers who receive the proper inhaled therapy can lead normal lives. There are more personalized options available for a smaller subset of patients with severe asthma, but these will need to be modified based on each patient’s needs.

In Malaysia, there were 1,700 cases of asthma-related deaths in 2014. However, according to experts, the vast majority of asthma-related deaths can be prevented with timely and effective treatment.²

World Asthma Day 2023
The World Asthma Day 2023 celebration at 1 Mont Kiara included educational games and an exhibition that highlights important educational messages about asthma, providing a crucial forum for the general public to better comprehend and acquire first-hand knowledge of this respiratory disease. In order to keep the younger attendees interested, the event also featured interactive gaming booths, a colouring competition, and sessions on asthma sharing by local artist Dina. Over the course of two days, there were about 1,200 attendees at the event.

The event was held on 6-7 May 2023. Visit https://qr.epmarketing.digital/wad2023 for more details.

About Breathe Better
The Breathe Better campaign educates the public on how to manage asthma effectively in order to reduce complications and enhance people’s quality of life. Its slogan, “Take Control of Your Asthma,” highlights the necessity for each patient to take charge of their asthma and understand what the best course of action is for them.

About Asthma Malaysia
Asthma Malaysia is a non-profitable organisation whose goals are to educate the public about asthma, promote the highest standards of care, and give patients the tools they need to manage their condition.

The goal of Asthma Malaysia is to become the leading portal for asthma in Malaysia by empowering and educating patients. In order to reduce the suffering and fatalities linked to it, we strive to ensure that asthma care in Malaysia is on par with the best in the world.

We want to develop into a group that actively conducts research and runs promotional campaigns to raise awareness of asthma in Malaysia.

References
1) Dinglasan JL, Tang LY, Chong MC, Al Raimi AM. Asthma prevalence and the relationship between level of knowledge and quality of life among asthmatic schoolchildren in Malaysia. Saudi Med J. 2022 Jan;43(1):113-116. doi: 10.15537/smj.2022.43.1.20210211. PMID: 35022293; PMCID: PMC9280567.
2) The Borneo Post. (2022, June 7). Public awareness key to effective control of asthma. Retrieved from https://www.theborneopost.com/2022/06/07/public-awareness-key-to-effective-control-of-asthma/

Also check out info about World Asthma Day 2022