Barbados Today : The Barbados Asthma Association has made a donation to the Accident and Emergency Department (AED) of the Queen Elizabeth Hospital that will improve not only patient care but assist in education outreach.

The donation made on Tuesday, World Asthma Day, included 42 peak flow meters and 36 spacing devices, valued at approximately $1 650, along with books, pamphlets and other educational material to assist asthmatics when they present to the department with the condition.

Speaking during the handover ceremony in the expanded Asthma Bay, Head of the AED, Consultant, Dr Anne-Marie Cruickshank said the donation of devices and educational tools was timely. She said it will form part of the department’s educational outreach for asthmatics and the public, as she highlighted the importance of using the peak flow meters and spacing devices to better assess and manage asthma.

Dr Cruickshank also reported that her team has been monitoring the number of asthmatics presenting to the department, in light of concerns about Saharan dust, the recent increase in fires and other triggers for asthma.

She said the numbers presenting to the AED remain steady for now, and assured that the department stands ready to meet a possible surge.

President of the Barbados Asthma Association, Rosita Pollard said she has firsthand knowledge of the distress of living with asthma, especially when experiencingan attack, which made the partnership with the hospital critical. The association has committed to a deeper collaboration with the AED’s Asthma Bay to support the education drive.

The Barbados Asthma Association is also set to be rebranded and Pollard is hoping to establish an office for the organisation as a focal point for assisting asthmatics on the island. These efforts go hand in hand with the theme for World Asthma Day, Asthma Education Empowers. (PR/BT)