Asthma management workshop for educators

Educators in Grenada are to engage in a workshop that will expose them to knowledge and at the same time provide the tools to assist students with managing their asthma and other respiratory conditions.

The Ministry of Health is hosting a two-day workshop with specific focus on Asthma Management.

The purpose of the workshop, which opened on Wednesday at the National Stadium, is to improve the competencies of health-care providers at the primary and secondary levels of care; and to select a cadre of persons to conduct Asthma Management workshops with teachers throughout the island.

It is expected that on completion of the workshop, there will be improvement in the management of asthma and other respiratory illnesses at schools, community health facilities and hospitals, thus resulting in an overall decrease in the frequency of asthma related attacks and admissions.

Asthma is the common chronic inflammatory disease of the airways characterised by variable and recurring symptoms, reversible airflow obstruction and bronchospasm.

Common symptoms of asthma include wheezing, shortness of breath, chest tightness and coughing, and use of accessory muscle. Symptoms are often worse at night or in the early morning, or in response to exercise or cold air. Some people with asthma only rarely experience symptoms, usually in response to triggers, whereas other may have marked persistent airflow obstruction. (LS)