World Asthma Day Conference 2022 Closing Gaps in Asthma Care

Although asthma cannot be cured, it is possible to manage asthma to reduce and prevent asthma attacks, also called episodes or exacerbations. Recently, Asthma Malaysia organized a multi stakeholder World Asthma Day Conference 2022 themed ‘Closing Gaps in Asthma Care’ on May 19th 2022 at the Connexion Conference and Event Centre, Kuala Lumpur and ended with The Pledge to Improve Asthma Care in Malaysia.

World Asthma Day Conference 2022 Closing Gaps in Asthma Care

 

Officiated by the Minister of Health, YB Khairy Jamaluddin, this event is held to commemorate the celebration of this year’s World Asthma Day in collaboration with the Malaysian Thoracic Society (MTS), Malaysian Family Medicine Specialists’ Association (FMSA), Malaysian Medical Association (MMA), Malaysian Pharmacists Society (MPS), AstraZeneca Malaysia & Novartis Malaysia.

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

There are many topics of discussions about the current challenges and solutions in addressing the gaps in asthma care in Malaysia in line with the World Asthma Day theme this year: Closing Gaps in Asthma Care. In Malaysia, asthma affects almost two million children and adults with respiratory diseases being the second most common cause of death within the Ministry of Health hospitals.

Speech by Dr. Helmy Haja Mydin, Co-founder of Asthma Malaysia

 

During this conference, healthcare experts, patient representatives and industry partners have come together to explore the potential of making asthma as a key non-communicable disease (NCD) priority area in Malaysia. The lack of recognition of asthma as an area of focus in the national healthcare agenda. 

Speech by YB Khairy Jamaluddin, Minister of Health, Malaysia

Witnessed by YB Khairy, the conference ended with the pledge signing by multi-stakeholders to express their joint commitment in improving asthma care in Malaysia. YB Khairy has also officiated the relaunch of Asthma Malaysia website which serves as a one-stop information hub for the public on asthma.

Relaunching of Asthma Malaysia Website

The World Asthma Day Conference 2022 in Malaysia ended with The Pledge to Improve Asthma Care in Malaysia witness by YB Khairy Jamaluddin, Minister of Health Malaysia. 

The Pledge to Improve Asthma Care in Malaysia

The Pledge to Improve Asthma Care in Malaysia

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.   

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

(a) Pushing for a dedicated National Strategic Action Plan for Asthma

(b) Reducing asthma-related deaths by 50%

(c) Increasing access to spirometry services to improve asthma diagnosis in the primary care

(d) Enabling greater healthcare resources to allow early and equitable access to treatment for patients across all asthma severities

(e) Increasing awareness and understanding among public on asthma especially in school and work setting

 

Together, we champion the cause for 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 Malaysian Thoracic Society (MTS)

●Dr Sri Wahyu Taher, President of the Malaysian Family Medicine Specialists’ Association (FMSA)

● Dr Thirunavukarasu Rajoo, Honorary General Secretary 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

World Asthma Day Conference 2022 Closing Gaps in Asthma Care

It was an informative and fruitful conference to discuss about the current challenges and solutions in addressing the gaps in asthma care in Malaysia.  For more information about World Asthma Day Conference 2022 Closing Gaps in Asthma Care, please visit Asthma Malaysia 

Website: https://asthmamalaysia.org/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/asthma.MY

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