New health initiative to help asthma patients breathe easy

Dubai: Asthma cases will be better diagnosed and managed and special training given to respiratory nurse specialists to help offset the high asthma rate in the UAE, Dubai Health Authority (DHA) announced on Tuesday.

An initiative was launched between the Authority and GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) a research-based pharmaceutical firm. The MoU will help set up a Dubai Respiratory Centre of Excellence which will improve diagnosis to provide early intervention and establish clear and simple management guidelines, the DHA said in a release.

Experts had earlier warned there is a high prevalence of asthma among children in the UAE with one in five children having the ailment, and advised there is a need for public awareness among patients and practitioners.

Management

"Training our nurses in asthma management will help further improve the quality of treatment given to patients and will aid in early intervention and treatment which is crucial to improve the quality of life of our patients," said Dr Ahmad Ebrahim Saif Kalban, CEO of the Primary Healthcare Sector at the DHA. "It is our aim to strengthen the primary care system because that is the first point of intervention for patients," he added.

Starting in March, specialist asthma teams will be accessible in a number of polyclinics across the emirate, a figure that will grow throughout the year, the DHA said.

"In [the] UAE, 58 per cent of asthmatics suffer daytime symptoms, which is an unnecessary compromise on life that can be prevented by following an asthma management plan that achieves control," said Dr Ali Ziwar, medical director GSK Gulf and Near East. He said this initiative will improve patients' quality of life by creating a team of respiratory nurse specialists and improve overall primary health care for asthma.

Participants will complete a diploma, certified from the UK. The diploma will mean that before and after an appointment with the doctor, the patient will be able to access additional support from a specialist nurse, who will offer guidance on using prescribed medication and reducing attacks.

"Poor asthma management is a major cost to any economy and its healthcare system, not to mention a danger to life and lifestyle," said Dr Bassam Mahboub, head of pulmonology department at the DHA and project leader of the Asthma Management Partnership Initiative.