BREATHEFREE MONSOON YATRA: A NATIONWIDE JOURNEY TO HEALTHIER LUNGS

Bhubaneswar: While the monsoon season brings much-needed relief from the scorching heat, it also poses significant challenges for respiratory health. Increased humidity and dampness can exacerbate lung conditions, making precautionary measures crucial during this time of year. With this in mind and in line with the continued commitment to proactive patient care, Cipla’s comprehensive patient support initiative – Breathe free kicked off its Monsoon Yatra. With an aim to help individuals understand their respiratory health status, the yatra provides increased access to screenings for chronic lung diseases like asthma and COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease). Over the course of three months, more than 4,000 camps will be conducted across the country, screening over 350,000 people.

India is facing a growing health crisis with a significant rise in Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs), where chronic respiratory diseases rank among the top three NCDs responsible for about 60% of all fatalities in the country.^[1]While early detection and intervention can improve symptoms and quality of life, the majority of asthma and COPD cases remain undiagnosed. About 70% of individuals with severe asthma symptoms aren’t clinically diagnosed, while an estimated 95-98% of COPD cases go undiagnosed.^[2]This highlights an urgent need for nationwide efforts to improve disease awareness, detection and management, which can be achieved through increased screening as well as counseling opportunities, and ongoing support. This is especially true during high-risk seasons like the monsoon.

Dr. Utpal Kumar Nandi, Pulmonologist, Bhubaneswar emphasizes, “Monsoon brings numerous triggers, including heightened humidity, mold, cold air, and a greater risk of viral infections. Although these factors can impact any individual’s respiratory health, they pose significant challenges for individuals with pre-existing respiratory conditions. Allergens that thrive in humid environments, such as mold and dust mites, can lead to allergic reactions and worsen asthma as well as COPD symptoms, possibly leading toan attack.¹Infact, research has found a significant rise in asthma cases, including acute bronchospasm, after thunderstorms, a phenomenon known as “thunderstorm asthma.” Initiatives like the Breathefree Monsoon Yatra are vital in providing timely screening as well as counseling on disease management, correct device techniques, and emphasizing treatment adherence, especially during seasons that intensify these conditions.”

Cipla’s Breathefree initiative has been instrumental in providing comprehensive support resources for asthma & COPD patients in the areas of screening, counselling, and treatment adherence. From on-ground screening camps to a now AI-enabled Breathefree Digital Educator platform and device training ‘how-to’ videos; Breathefree has evolved into a one-stop support solution for those living with respiratory issues. The Breathefree Monsoon Yatra is a continuation of these efforts, ensuring that individuals across the country have access to the information and resources they need to breathe freely, regardless of the season.