Chronic pulmonary disease: Experts call for creating awareness among people

PESHAWAR: The Pakistan Chest Society of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa has emphasised the importance of raising awareness about Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD), a growing global health concern.

Speaking at a press conference at the Peshawar Press Club, society’s president Prof Saadia Ashraf, Prof Mukhtiar Zaman and Dr. Rukhsana Javed highlighted the need for public education on the disease, keeping in view Pakistan’s increasing environmental challenges.

Prof Saadia Ashraf said that the World COPD Day was observed annually on November 20 to educate people about the disease. “The rise in tobacco use, vehicular emissions, and pollution in our country has contributed to the prevalence of COPD,” she added.

They presented alarming statistics, revealing that COPD has tripled globally in recent years. The disease is more common in countries with high rates of smoking and tobacco consumption and affects men more than women, they said, adding, in 2021, COPD ranked as the third leading cause of death worldwide, claiming an estimated 3.5 million lives annually.

Dr Saadia Ashraf outlined indoor pollution from burning wood and coal, outdoor pollution such as dust and smoke, and exposure to chemical pollutants as causes of COPD. The disease affects the airways, causing symptoms like breathlessness, chronic cough with phlegm, wheezing, and difficulty in mobility. Prof Saadia Ashraf stressed that COPD is preventable and treatable with early intervention.

“Improving our environment, reducing indoor smoke, and curbing the use of harmful fuels are essential steps to control the spread of this disease,” she added.