OUR STAFF REPORTER LAHORE Like other parts of the globe, the World Asthma Day was observed across the country including the City on Tuesday with the purpose to raise public awareness and care about rapidly increasing disease. WAD is an annual event organised by the Global Initiative for Asthma. It takes place on the first Tuesday of May. The theme of this years event is You Can Control Your Asthma. According to an estimate, about five percent of adults and 10 per cent children are suffering from Asthma and their numbers are increasing due to rapid urbanisation, smoking and deteriorating environment. In Lahore, seminars, workshops, conferences and walks were organised both at the government and private level to highlight the importance of healthy environment and precautionary measures to avoid the danger relating to Asthma. The Department of Chest Diseases, Shaikh Zayed Hospital organised a seminar to mark the event. The seminar highlighted this years theme You Can Control Your Asthma and also focused on latest methods of treatment of the disease. According to an estimate as many as 300 million people were suffering from this disease. Chairman and Dean Shaikh Zayed Hospital Prof Dr Muhammad Saeed was the chief guest. Addressing the participants, Head of Department of Chest Diseases Prof Dr Nazim Bukhari said that with proper treatment, nearly all asthma patients could achieve and maintain good control, enabling them to carryout normal activities and prevent visits to the emergency departments and hospitals. He introduced various gas and powder inhalers and elaborated the advantages of inhaled irritants over oral medication. He said inhaler could be used for years without any significant side effect. Prof Dr Zafar Iqbal said that air pollutants, genetic factors, pollens and tobacco were the main causes of asthma. Shalamar Hospital Outpatient Department arranged a free camp where patients were provided free lungs test and X-ray. Moreover free consultation was provided to the general public. Awareness literature and free medicines were provided to the patients. People were also given awareness about how to control Asthma disease. Lecture on Asthma was also delivered at the hospital auditorium.