Free public seminar on Asthma by GSK

GlaxoSmithKline Pharmaceuticals (GSK) has organized a free public seminar to help asthmatics and their care givers understand how to better manage the disease.

A continuation of GSK’s support for World Asthma Day which fell on the 5th of May, the seminar will be conducted by the Association of Pulmonologists with exclusive sponsorship of GSK, on May 23 at the Park Premier Banquet Hall, Excel World from 9.30 am.

Admission is free, and will be for registered participants on a first come, first served basis, the company said. Those who wish to attend may reserve a seat by calling 011 - 2366515 (Keshia) before 20th May 2009.

The panel of speakers at this event will comprise of Dr. Kirthi Gunasekera, Consultant Respiratory Physician and Dr. Amitha Fernando, Consultant Respiratory Physician at the Central Chest Clinic Colombo and Dr. Eshanth Perera, Consultant Respiratory Physician of Kalutara Hospital.

Presentations will cover ‘The Reality of Asthma’ (Dr. Amitha Fernando), ‘Your Asthma can be Controlled - Expect Nothing Less’ (Dr. Kirthi Gunasekera) and ‘Real Life Situation in Asthma’ (Dr. Eshanth Perera).

“Although asthma is not totally curable, good management can result in a patient leading a relatively normal life,” said Stuart Chapman, GSK Managing Director in Sri Lanka. “We are happy to be able to support this event which fits in very well with GSK’s corporate mission of helping people to do more, feel better and live longer.”

He said that asthma is a common problem that affects people of all ages. In Sri Lanka it is estimated that more than one million people are affected by the disease and that recent studies have shown that one in every three children is afflicted with a respiratory disease at some time, Mr. Chapman disclosed.

Among activities supported by GSK in the past to create better awareness of asthma and respiratory diseases in general is the Annual School’s Health Quiz which is conducted by the Respiratory Diseases Study Group (RDSG) and the National Asthma Council (NAC). GSK also has a programme of training asthma patients on the correct use of inhalers and other devices.

The company also supports the RDSG and NAC in their efforts to create better awareness of asthma through the publication of leaflets, posters and lectures by medical experts.

Another noteworthy GSK contribution to asthma management in Sri Lanka was company’s support to an International Study on Asthma and Allergy in Children which also covered Sri Lanka and was conducted in all nine provinces.