The Asthma and Bronchitis Association of India (ABAI) was founded in 1984 at the pulmonary function laboratory of St. George's Hospital in Mumbai. It is one of the earliest nonprofit, non-governmental organizations solely dedicated to improving education and awareness for all asthma and allergy patients in India. It organizes several activities famed at improving asthma patients' well-being, including:
- An annual trek
- Annual sports meet
- Health check-up scheme for members
- Provision of emergency inhalers at a discount rate
- Nebulizers for rent at minimal cost
- Newsletter (Asthma Times) offering information on asthma and asthma care
- Anti-tobacco campaigns
- Asthma camps and community programmes
The association also works to increase awareness about asthma in India, particularly in Mumbai. It has published articles in newspapers including The Times of India,[1] Mumbai Mirror,[2] DNA,[3] Hindustan Times, and many others.
The association has over 10,000 registered members and over 500 active volunteers. It has three reputed chest physicians and asthma specialists on its core panel. Though it still operates from its initial location at St. George's Hospital, ABAI has another satellite office at the Asthma Allergy Clinic in central Mumbai.
References
edit- ^ Masand, Pratibha (2011-11-22). "Asthma". The Times of India. Archived from the original on 2013-01-03.
- ^ Shukla, Alka (4 March 2010). "Dust Asthma". Mumbai Mirror. Archived from the original on 2013-01-29. Retrieved 19 February 2012.
- ^ Suryanarayan, Deepa (2010-03-16). "Mumbai Pollutants". DNA.