Kathmandu: Today, World Asthma Day is being marked with various programs focusing on the theme “Access to anti-inflammatory inhalers for everyone with asthma – still an urgent need”.
According to National News Agency Nepal, data revealed by Dr. Anuj Bhattachan, Director at the Epidemiology and Disease Control Division, shows that six to eight percent of Nepal’s population is affected by asthma. The risk of developing asthma has increased due to urbanization, rising air pollution, and changes in weather and climate.
Asthma impacts individuals of all ages, including children and adolescents. The World Health Organisation (WHO) estimates that globally, 260 to 300 million people suffer from asthma, which can lead to physical activity limitations, sleep disorders, and persistent fatigue.
Despite its prevalence, asthma is often under-diagnosed, hindering timely treatment for many affected individuals. The limited availability of essential asthma treatment equipment, particularly inhaled corticosteroid (anti-inflammatory) inhalers, in healthcare facilities and the high cost of these medications pose significant challenges for asthma patients.
Around 96 percent of asthma-related deaths occur in middle-income countries like Nepal. In these regions, asthma management often relies on oral and injectable medicines instead of inhalers, which are not always effective in controlling the condition.
The delay in treatment or the lack of timely access to necessary medications can increase the risk of asthma-related complications.