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An India-American asthma and allergy specialist based in Denver, Colorado, who established International Asthma Services in 1987 to meet the growing demand for asthma and allergy care in India and in other developing countries, has been honored by the Center for Global Health, University of Colorado, with the “Excellence in Global Health Award” for his contribution to improving health of people in developing countries.
Dr. Pudupukkam (PK) Vedanthan, Clinical Professor of Medicine, University of Colorado, Denver School, who became a professor 12 years ago, has improved the lives of thousands of asthmatic patients through a global network of asthma camps and trainings, according to the university. The first camp was conducted in Bangalore in 1987, and camps continue to be conducted usually with the organizational assistance of local service clubs like Rotary International, hospitals, churches or temples.
The award recognizes and publicly honors individuals, institutions or organizations based in Colorado that have made an “exemplary contribution” to the improvement of the health of populations in low and middle income countries over an extended period of time.
By receiving the award Vedanthan, a graduate of Mysore Medical College, joined a distinguished group of past awardees. Vedanthan, who did his fellowship at the National Asthma Center/National Jewish Health Denver, Colorado, also established ‘Diploma in Allergy and Asthma program’ in conjunction with Christian Medical College, Vellore, which celebrated its 10th anniversary in Jan. 2016. The program trains students in treating allergy and asthma patients.
Vedanthan, who said he spends about six months every year in India which is the “hub for training programs” in the country, and from where he and his students conduct training and treatment camps around the world, including in Africa, is said to have improved the lives of thousands of asthmatic patients through his global network of asthma camps and trainings.
The World Health Organization estimates that 235 million people suffer from asthma. As a result of increasing urbanization and more particulate matter in the air, it is predicted there will be 100 million more persons with asthma by 2025.
The disease, according to WHO, is largely under-diagnosed and undertreated, leading to approximately 250,000 deaths annually worldwide. It is the number one chronic disease faced by children.
“There is a very high morbidity and mortality rate in India of people suffering from these ailments. The prevalence of allergies in India varies between rural and urban settings. In the urban settings, it can be as high as 20 percent, which is similar to the U.S, and Europe, and in rural areas it is lower, roughly about 2.5 percent,” Vedanthan said in response to a question.
But he admitted the ailment is rising all over in India due to urbanization and change in life style, increased auto emissions with diesel exhaust fumes, obesity, change of food habits and less activity.
“The severity of the cases is significantly more in India compared to U.S. due to delayed diagnosis, improper and inadequate treatment as well as due to high pollution,” he told News India Times.
He said that awareness about the disease and recognition of early symptoms are lacking even among the general medical practitioners in India. “By I am hopeful that by the next decade, things in India will improve a lot thanks to our training camps, and also by other people who are not part of International Asthma Services. The awareness is growing,” Vedanthan, who has devoted his career to understanding asthma, and providing quality care to those who suffer, especially those in the developing countries where the challenges can be overwhelming, told this correspondent.
This year he wants to expand IAS’ educational initiatives by instituting a scholarship with Global Chest Initiatives (GCI), which is a joint endeavor between International Asthma Services and Global Cardiology Services.
His dream is to establish the “Center of Excellence in Allergy, Asthma and Immunology” at CMC, Vellore. He said that such an institution would be the primary stage for all asthma activities and has started his quest to raise funds for this project with the IAS leading the way.
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