SINGAPORE – Respiratory problems rank among the top deadly diseases around the world, but much of the research today does not take into account the context in Asia, such as the climate and the genetics of its people.
Many in Singapore, for instance, have respiratory issues despite being non-smokers their entire life, and scientists are not clear why this is the case.
To answer such questions, a new research centre was launched on Wednesday by Nanyang Technological University (NTU), bringing together experts worldwide to find more effective treatment and prevention from an Asian perspective.
The first-of-its-kind centre will focus on technological innovations to improve lung health, analyse the impact of climate change on respiratory health, and build a database of Asian-focused lung diseases, among other things, said Professor Joseph Sung, dean of the Lee Kong Chian School of Medicine.
The Academic Respiratory Initiative for Pulmonary Health Centre for Respiratory Research Excellence, or Tariph Centre, will bring together 46 organisations, including local hospitals, and over 500 doctors, scientists and policymakers from around the world to contribute to the research.
The centre will also have Singapore’s first panel of patients for respiratory medical research. They will provide details of their experiences of living with respiratory issues to ensure that the treatments rolled out meet the needs of patients.
Respiratory diseases are highly prevalent globally and are three of the top 10 causes of death, according to the World Health Organisation in 2019. They result in some eight million deaths annually, said Prof Sung during the centre’s launch at the Lee Kong Chian School of Medicine’s clinical sciences building in Novena on Wednesday.
Deputy Prime Minister Heng Swee Keat was guest of honour at the event, and in attendance were medical professionals and partners of the centre, among others.
In Singapore, respiratory diseases, especially asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary diseases like chronic bronchitis, are among the 20 leading causes of disability, said Prof Sung, who is also senior vice-president of NTU’s health and life sciences studies.
“This has a wide-reaching impact on patients. It affects their quality of life and adds financial pressures when hospitalisation and further treatment is required,” he added.
