To shed light on an often-sidelined health issue, Manipal Hospital, Mukundapur, organised a special awareness programme centred around paediatric asthma in collaboration with the West Bengal Chapter of Paediatric Pulmonology. The event was organized in observance of World Asthma Day, which is celebrated globally every year on May 6th. The engaging sessions included leading paediatric intensive care specialists, cardiologists, paediatric pulmonologists, Paediatrician & Neonatologist from Manipal Hospitals, Kolkata, who shared their valuable insights on the importance of such initiatives in raising public consciousness about the complexities of childhood asthma.
The event was attended by prominent clinicians from Manipal Hospitals including Dr. Saumen Meur, Paediatric Intensive Care Lead & Head of Paediatrics, Manipal Hospital, Mukundapur, Dr. Monideepa Dutta, Consultant, Paediatric Intensive Care, Manipal Hospital, Mukundapur, Dr. Prof. Partha Sarathi, Senior Consultant, Cardiology, Manipal hospital, Salt Lake, Dr. Pallab Chatterjee, Senior Consultant, Paediatrician & Neonatologist, Manipal Hospital, Salt Lake Dr. Sayantan Bhowmick, Consultant, Paediatric Pulmonology, Manipal Hospital, Mukundapur.
Asthma is a chronic inflammatory disease of the airways that affects nearly 10% of children globally. With every passing day, asthma, especially paediatric asthma, is becoming a cause of worry in India due to rising pollution levels, lifestyle changes, and increased exposure to allergens. Yet, despite its high incidence, many children in Eastern India continue to grapple with undiagnosed or mislabeled symptoms, often mistaken for recurrent respiratory infections, bronchitis, or allergic coughs. This diagnostic ambiguity leads to unnecessary antibiotic usage, school absenteeism, compromised lung health, and emotional distress for both children and families.
To raise awareness, the programme brought together eminent paediatric pulmonologists and intensivists who addressed critical gaps in asthma management. Dr. Partha Halder, Senior Consultant, Cardiology, initiated the academic discussions with an insightful session on the Updates on Global Initiative for Asthma (GINA) Guidelines, highlighting how evolving global recommendations should inform clinical practice in India. This was preceded by an interactive panel on Roadblocks in Asthma Management in Children, moderated by Dr. Pallab Chatterjee, Senior Consultant, Paediatrician & Neonatologist, where panellists Dr. Arun Manglik and Dr. Subhasis Roy, shared their expert insights on the real-world hurdles clinicians encounter, from diagnostic challenges to treatment compliance issues. Concluding the academic segment, Dr. Sayantan Bhowmick, Consultant, Paediatric Pulmonology, shed light on asthma patients under the age of five, a particularly challenging age group where distinguishing between transient wheezing and early-onset asthma is vital for appropriate intervention.
Dr. Saumen Meur, Paediatric Intensive Care Lead & Head of Paediatrics, Manipal Hospital, Mukundapur, stated, “Asthma in children demands a nuanced understanding of developmental, immunological, and environmental factors that are quite unique. We often encounter cases where children suffer silently for years due to misdiagnosis. A wheezing child is frequently given antibiotics for chest infections rather than appropriate inhalation therapy. Our message today is clear: having asthma doesn’t mean that your child’s life will be put on hold. With accurate diagnosis and modern treatment protocols, children can not only control their symptoms but also enjoy unrestricted participation in academics, sports, and social activities.”
Dr. Monideepa Dutta, Consultant, Paediatric Intensive Care, Manipal Hospital, Mukundapur, stated, “Myths around inhalers being addictive or harmful can prevent timely and sustained treatment. There is also a stigma associated with asthma, which makes families hesitant to accept a diagnosis. By educating caregivers and demystifying asthma management tools, we are empowering families to take control of their child’s health journey. Importantly, untreated or poorly managed asthma can permanently impair lung growth in children — a risk we cannot afford to overlook. Notably, understanding correct inhaler techniques is equally important to ensure medications reach the lungs effectively. Healthcare providers should review once in a while if younger patients are using the inhaler properly, as struggles with device compliance are common among this age group.”
