By Salman Khan Soomro

A devastating lung disease, Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary disease (COPD) continuously robs the sufferers of breath. It is on the rise Pakistan; mainly because of tobacco consumption, biomass fuels and air pollution. According to some experts and specialists of National Alliance for Tobacco control, the disease is currently the fourth leading cause of death across the world and is projected to be the third leading cause of death by 2020.More than three million people die of the disease each year, and up to 10 percent of adults over age 40 worldwide may have it.

According to WHO statistics, the estimated COPD death rate in Pakistan was 71 deaths per 100,000 population, which was the fourth highest death rate among the 25 most populous nations in the world.

A simple, painless breathing test called "Spirometry" can confirm whether a person possesses COPD or not. But, unfortunately, this test is not available in most hospitals in the country. Treatment is more effective when a disease is diagnosed early.

Therefore, I request the government and health facilities institutes to take measures not only for implementation of anti-smoking laws, but also for the control of atmospheric pollution.

Published in Young Nation Magazine on March 17, 2018