Mohali
5 October 2024
DIVYA AZAD
Fortis Hospital, Mohali today launched a dedicated Center of Excellence (CoE) for severe asthma. This state-of-the-art dedicated asthma centre will serve as a pivotal hub for the treatment and management of severe asthma. The Asthma Centre of Excellence is committed to adopting a systematic, guideline-based approach to effectively identify and treat severe asthma patients. The primary goals include improving disease control, reducing symptoms and exacerbations, and minimizing morbidity. Severe asthma affects patients whose conditions remain uncontrolled despite receiving maximum dosages of standard asthma medications.
Dr. Digambar Behera, Director of Pulmonary Medicine at Fortis Hospital Mohali, emphasized on the urgent need for specialized care, stating, “Bronchial asthma is a chronic inflammatory condition that affects nearly 350 million people worldwide, with around 37.9 million individuals in India alone. The prevalence is particularly high in regions like Chandigarh, Mohali, Himachal Pradesh, where environmental factors contribute to frequent asthma attacks.”
“Effective management of severe asthma necessitates ongoing research, education, and support. To enhance collaboration within the healthcare ecosystem, we are partnering with AstraZeneca, a leader in respiratory care, to implement advanced treatment strategies that focus on biological solutions and personalized medicine.”
Equipped with innovative technologies, the CoE aims to screen a significant number of patients within its first year. The initiative will be supported through collaborations with local healthcare professionals, emphasizing research and knowledge-sharing to optimize asthma management. Asthma is a lifelong condition characterized by periods of remission and exacerbation. Proper treatment and patient education are crucial for maintaining control of the disease. Approximately 3-5% of asthma patients experience severe asthma, necessitating specialized care and advanced therapeutic approaches.
Dr. A.K. Mandal, Director, Pulmonology, Sleep and Critical Care, Fortis Hospital, Mohali, Lead Consultants in Pulmonology, expressed their commitment to improving patient outcomes: “Our outpatient services have seen a surge in referrals for difficult-to-treat asthma cases. This CoE will enhance our precision in diagnosing and treating severe asthma, focusing on clinical assessment, patient counseling, and the initiation of biologic therapies.”
