Asthma Malaysia Organized World Asthma Day Conference 2022 Addressing The Gaps In Asthma Care

 Dear Readers, 

Asthma Malaysia Organized World Asthma Day Conference 2022 In Conjunction With World Asthma Day With The Theme "Closing Gaps In Asthma Care"

Attending World Asthma Day Conference 2022

 

Do you know that World Asthma Day is celebrated worldwide on the 3rd May each year to raise awareness about asthma and this important day is organized by the Global Initiative for Asthma (GINA), a collaborative organization founded in 1993 with the World Health Organization (WHO). This year, "Closing Gaps in Asthma Care" has been chosen as the theme for the 2022 World Asthma Day.  

 

There are a number of gaps in asthma care which require intervention in order to reduce preventable suffering as well as the costs incurred by treating uncontrolled asthma - Source: https://ginasthma.org/world-asthma-day-2022/

Special this year as Malaysia is celebrating Hari Raya Aidilfitri on the May 3, 2022, Asthma Malaysia has scheduled and organized the multi-stakeholder World Asthma Day Conference 2022 on the May 19th, 2022 instead, from 11.00 A.M. to 3.00 P.M. at the Connexion Conference and Event Centre, Kuala Lumpur. 

 

This half-day conference is inline with the theme selected this year by GINA, "Closing Gaps in Asthma Care" where healthcare experts, patient representatives and industry partners came together to discuss the challenges and solutions in addressing the gaps in asthma care in Malaysia. 

Dr Helmy Haja Mydin, Co-Founder of Asthma Malaysia

 Overview of Asthma and Causes

Asthma is a respiratory disease that is characterized by chronic airway inflammation with respiratory symptoms such as wheezing, shortness of breath, chest tightness and cough that vary over time and in intensity, together with variable expiratory airflow limitation which may later become persistent. 

 

As per record, Asthma has affected 339 million people of all ages worldwide and it is estimated to increase to 400 million people by 2025. Similar to other diseases, asthma is a significant cause of morbidity and mortality where 250,000 people die of asthma worldwide each year. 

 

Asthma affects almost two million Malaysians and respiratory diseases are currently the second most common cause of death within the Ministry of Health hospitals - Source: Health Facts 2021. Ministry of Health Malaysia. Planning Division. Health Informatics Centre

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Ernest Poh Mau Ern, Consultant Respiratory Physician, UMMC Shared On Asthma Control: Paving the Way Towards Symptom-free Days

According to GINA Report 2020 Appendix Chapter 2, the fundamental causes that lead to development and expression of asthma are not completely understood, but the strong risk factors have been identified which include: 

 

• Genetic predisposition
• Obesity
• Gender
• Environmental exposure to inhaled substances and particles e.g. pollen, fungal spores and dust mite particles (allergic factors)
• Viral respiratory infection
• Inhalation of smoke or chemicals in the workplace (non-allergic factors)
• Diet
• Stress

Sharing From Dr Sri Wahyu Taher, President of the Malaysian Family Medicine Specialists' Association (FMSA)

Sharing From Assoc. Prof. Dr. Pang Yong Kek, President of Malaysia Thoracic Society

 

During the session, the healthcare experts shared that the major barriers in enabling earlier and equitable access to both diagnosis and evidence-guided treatment among the asthma patients in the country is due to the lack of the recognition of asthma as an area of focus in the national healthcare agenda. 

 

The series of thought-provoking talks and dialogue led by the medical experts and patient representatives were held where the discussion has led to the conclusion that greater intervention towards asthma are required in Malaysia in order to curb preventable suffering and financial burden in patients resulting from their uncontrolled asthma. 

 

The recent local studies highlighted that more than 50% of patients with asthma have either partly controlled or uncontrolled diseases. Source: YB Khairy Jamaluddin, Minister of Health, Malaysia

 

Healthcare experts, patient representatives and industry partners also come together to explore the potential of making asthma a key non-communicable diseases (NCD) priority area in Malaysia.  

 

Dialogue: Making the Case for Asthma to be Recognized as Key NCD Priority In Malaysia

 The Pledge To Improve Asthma Care In Malaysia

 

The conference ended with the pledge signing by multi-stakeholders to express their joint commitment in improving asthma care in Malaysia and this pledge signing session was witnessed by YB Khairy Jamaluddin, Minister of Health Malaysia. 

 

The pledge: 

 

We, the undersigned, pledge to work together to make asthma as part of the key non-communicable diseases (NCDs) priority area in Malaysia by 2025. 

 

Toward this end, we are committed to implementing and supporting the following: 

 

• Pushing for a dedicated National Strategic Action Plan for Asthma
• Reducing asthma-related deaths by 50%
• Increasing access to spirometry services to improve asthma diagnosis in the primary care
• Enabling greater healthcare resources to allow early and equitable access to treatment for patients across all asthma severities
• Increasing awareness and understanding among public on asthma especially in school and work setting

 

Together, we champion the cause of Asthma in Malaysia. 

This pledge was signed by: 

• Dr Helmy Haja Mydin, Co-Founder of Asthma Malaysia
• Associate Professor Dr Pang Yong Kek, President of the Malaysia Thoracic Society (MTS)
• Dr Sri Wahyu Taher, President of the Malaysian Family Medicine Specialists' Association (FMSA)
• Dr Thirunavukarasu Rajoo, Honorary General Sectary of the Malaysian Medical Association (MMA)
• Mr Andrew Tan, Deputy President of Malaysian Pharmacists Society
• Professor Dr Roslina Abdul Manap, Chairman of the Lung Foundation of Malaysia
• Dr Sanjeev Panchal, Country President of AstraZeneca Malaysia
• Dr Mayuresh Fegade, Chief Scientific Officer of Novartis Malaysia

 

The Pledge Session Witnessed By YB Khairy Jamaluddin

YB Khairy Jamaluddin also officiated the relaunching of Asthma Malaysia website which serves as a one-stop information hub for the public on asthma. The website can be accessed by clicking the link below. 

 

 

Asthma Malaysia Website

 

 

As the Ministry of Health, it is my responsibility to ensure that we optimize the delivery of care and strive to provide the best care for members of our society, irrespective of social or economic background. Source: YB Khairy Jamaluddin, Ministry of Health, Malaysia

 

As a close remark, YB Khairy Jamaluddin has shared that the Ministry of Health is currently working on a White Paper which will detail a set of problem statements and recommendations to ensure that our country's healthcare system is future-proof.

 

The White Paper proposal will address both short-term challenges as well as long-standing issues such as funding and allocation, growth that addresses ESG concerns, human capital development, the digitalization of healthcare services and sustainable financing.  

 

This White Paper will be tabled in the Parliament by November this year and it will be all-inclusive, and cover some of the challenges raised in today's sessions on the gaps in asthma care. 

 

Relaunching of Asthma Malaysia Website Officiated by YB Khairy Jamaluddin, Minister of Health Malaysia

 

Token of Appreciation Presentation 

About Asthma Malaysia

Asthma Malaysia is a non-profitable organization with the mission to serve as a credible resource on asthma, to raise awareness of best standards of care and to empower patients in the management of their asthma. 

 

Asthma Malaysia's vision is to be Malaysia's leading portal for asthma with a view of creating more informed and empowered patients. We aim to ensure that asthma care in Malaysia is equal to the best in the world with a view to reducing the suffering and deaths associated with it. 

 

We intend to evolve into an organization that will proactively engage in research and promotional campaigns to increase awareness of asthma in Malaysia.