Early and Accurate Diagnosis Key to Managing India’s Growing Chronic Respiratory Disease Burden, Say Medical Experts
Pune, Feb 04: India is confronting an intensifying public health challenge, with chronic respiratory diseases (CRDs) ranking among the top two contributors to the country’s growing burden of non-communicable diseases (NCDs). [1] Alarmingly, the nation accounts for over 30% of global deaths and disability-adjusted life years (DALYs) caused by CRDs. [2] Yet despite this staggering statistic, India continues to grapple with a silent epidemic of underdiagnosis, with nearly 70% of people experiencing severe asthma symptoms remaining undiagnosed, and an estimated 95–98% of COPD cases going undiagnosed. [3], [4] The road ahead lies in enabling early detection through better systems, stronger support, and easier access to diagnostic expertise.
In response to this gap, new models of care are beginning to emerge bringing together technology, expertise, and access to state-of-the-art diagnostic tools under one roof. Cipla’s Breathefree Lung Wellness Center, recently launched in Delhi and Mumbai, is designed to empower doctors and patients with access to timely, high-quality diagnostics. With plans to expand nationwide, the centers offer 60 advanced diagnostic tests in the respiratory domain including Oscillometry, a sound wave-based lung function test that is especially effective for patients who are difficult to test, such as children under 5 years old. Conducted by trained technicians to ensure accuracy, the tests span pulmonology, immunology, microbiology, and radiology. The center also supports patients with pulmonary nutrition, rehabilitation and smoking cessation counselling, helping them through every stage of their recovery journey.
Dr. Vishal More, M.B.B.S, M.D.(Chest), Pune said, “As respiratory illnesses continue to place an enormous strain on both individual lives and the healthcare system, there is an urgent need for comprehensive solutions that prioritize early detection, diagnosis and treatment. One-stop centers like the Breathefree Lung Wellness Center helps bridge this gap by bringing comprehensive lung health diagnostics and care services closer to patients.” Dr. Vishal More added. “As cities grow and lifestyles change, chronic conditions like asthma and COPD are quietly taking center stage. India’s health map is shifting, from short-term infections to lifelong conditions” [5]
Dr. Mahavir Bagrecha, M.B.B.S, M.D.(Chest), Pune said, “Poor diets, less movement and rising pollution are silently reshaping India’s health story, and our lungs are paying the price. Diseases like Asthma and COPD often go unnoticed for years due to poor awareness, stigma, and limited access to proper testing. Furthermore, the shortage of trained personnel and reliable tools like Spirometry makes timely diagnosis even harder, leaving many patients undiagnosed and undertreated. By bringing together cutting-edge technology, globally recognised diagnostic protocols, and a team of highly trained technicians to ensure accurate detection of respiratory diseases, facilities like the Breathefree Lung Wellness Center are a step in the right direction.” [6]