We wrote in July that the WHO has put new focus on respiratory diseases through their ‘Global Alliance against Respiratory Diseases’ where EFA is happy to be a founding member. The report from GARD’s high level meeting is now published and you can read about the actions and progress around the world in care and prevention of respiratory diseases.
In a follow up technical meeting at WHO, our president, Christine Rolland, spoke about advocacy and the role of civil society groups like us in raising awareness on asthma, COPD and other respiratory diseases. The meeting will lead to a concrete plan and support for respiratory diseases for the globe!
The respiratory ‘tour of the world’ in the GARD report tells us that:
In Poland, people have access to new medications and there is reimbursement. The numbers of smokers within the last 20 years have dropped from 60, to 20%! Poland has a national asthma programme POLASTHMA.
In Georgia, respiratory diseases have moved from 7th position 1992 to 3rd position, which is of course no reason for celebration.
In Lithuania, guidelines on wheezing by pre-school children are being applied, which is important for asthma prevention.
In Vietnam, 8% of people over 40 years old who have never smoked have COPD. This is mostly due to air pollution, a lesson for Europe to keep in mind.
Iran’s representative pleaded for the GARD support in convincing their government to take and implement in care national guidelines for asthma and COPD.
In Syria, survey asthma among people living in shelters, how living in these conditions affects asthma, has been conducted.
In Italy, the GARDI, the Italian sister of GARD has raised the awareness and the focus on diagnosis and care in recent years and our Italian member FEDERASMA et Allergie onlus is a key partners in that.
In Portugal, their national programme of respiratory diseases has achieved reimbursement for asthma care, an important issue for patients, 5-10% of the population! But 14,2% of the population has COPD. Smoking cessation services are now offered free of charge, a key request of European patients arising from our COPD project, including RESPIRA, our local member.
From EFA, the report highlights our advocacy role, and bringing together many partners for joint advocacy. Many of our partners like ERS and EAACI are featured.
You can download the report in full here