World Asthma Day conference to highlight asthma control

The Maltese Asthmatic Society (SAM) will outline the latest facts, figures, and medical guidelines on asthma during a World Asthma Day conference on Tuesday May 6th, 2014.

The conference, open to the public, will be held at the Phoenicia Hotel in Valletta whilst entrance will be free.

The conference speakers include the Parliamentary Secretary for Health Chris Fearne, Shadow Minister for Health Claudio Grech, Director of the Health and Disease Prevention Directorate Charmaine Gauci, and health specialists Etienne Grech and Martin Balzan.

“Asthma is one of the most common chronic diseases, with around 300 million people affected around the world,” a statement issued by SAM read.

The president of the Society, Stephen Healey, said that asthma in Malta was on the increase, with it being more prevalent in children. 

“Malta has the highest prevalence rates in Europe of persons suffering from asthma and other respiratory conditions,” said Healey, whilst explaining that the aim of SAM was to relieve the suffering brought on by the illness by increasing awareness of the chronic illness and offering support to asthmatics and their relatives.

This, in turn, will help to improve the quality of life of these persons, according to Healey.

A week prior to the conference, on Saturday May 3rd, SAM will also be organizing educational and fund-raising activities in Sliema, whereby volunteers will be distributing educational material on asthma.

Founded in 2004 by Prof Stephen Montfort, the NGO has grown to include around 200 members, with a committee consisting of eight volunteer committee members. The Society has delivered talks in various parts of Malta, focusing in particular on schools, radio stations and television programmes.

It also organises free public meetings every three months as part of its outreach and support services. These public events are held at Mater Dei’s Hospital’s Asthma Clinic and include information talks by health professionals, such as medical doctors or pharmacists.

More information about the Maltese Asthmatic Society is available at www.asthmamalta.org or by writing to [email protected].