Asthma support centre gives sufferers a breath of fresh air

Charity aims to improve healthcare for patients across north-east

A new charity centre, designed to improve the healthcare of asthma patients across the north-east, was officially opened yesterday.

Scotland’s only dedicated asthma charity, the Asthma and Allergy Foundation (AAF), has established the new support facility on Pitmedden Road in Dyce.

The organisation supports asthma patients by providing them with free health advice and support,

“There are 1,000 deaths a year from asthma in the UK, 90% are preventable”

and works to raise awareness of the disease’s symptoms.

The potentially deadly respiratory condition affects more than 35,000 people in the north-east, and 368,000 across Scotland – including 72,000 children.

One of these sufferers is the Scottish Government Minister for Mental Health, Maureen Watt.

And yesterday, the MSP cut the ribbon of the new centre with the charity’s chief executive, Martina Chukwuma-Ezike.

Mrs Watt said: “This will be a valuable facility for Aberdeen, providing support for people with asthma and their families.

“I’m delighted to be here for the official opening.”

Mrs Chukwuma-Ezike added: “We are absolutely delighted to have opened our new asthma support centre, and I would like to invite the north-east community to come and visit us in Dyce to find out how we can help them to manage asthma and allergies.

“Asthma can affect anyone at any age and, since the charity was formed in 2009, more than 13,000 people in Aberdeen have directly benefited from its services.

“There are 1,000 deaths a year from asthma in the UK, and around 90% of them are preventable.

“As Scotland’s only asthma charity, we aim to reduce this figure and, by providing our services, we want to ensure that everyone who turns to use for support gets the help they need, so they or their loved ones can live a healthier and active life.”

Mrs Watt added: “The Scottish Government is currently working with specialists to develop a new improvement plan for respiratory health.

“This will support our commitment to delivering the best treatment for people living with respiratory conditions, including asthma, identify priority areas for improvement, and, where possible, reduce the risk of people developing these conditions.” For details call 01224 973001 or visit www.aaf-un.org

SUPPORT: Asthma sufferer and Scottish Government Minister for Mental Health Maureen Watt officially opened the centre