Pune: India is facing a mounting public health challenge, with chronic respiratory diseases (CRDs) emerging as one of the top two contributors to the country’s non-communicable disease (NCD) burden.
Alarmingly, India accounts for more than 30% of global deaths and disability-adjusted life years (DALYs) linked to chronic respiratory diseases.
Despite the scale of the issue, underdiagnosis remains a critical concern, with nearly 70% of individuals experiencing severe asthma symptoms undiagnosed and an estimated 95–98% of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) cases going undetected.
Experts stress that addressing this gap requires a strong focus on early detection supported by robust systems, improved awareness, and easier access to diagnostic expertise.
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Chronic Respiratory Diseases: Expanding Access to Diagnostics
To address this unmet need, integrated models of care are emerging that combine technology, clinical expertise, and advanced diagnostics.
Cipla’s Breathefree Lung Wellness Center, recently launched in Delhi and Mumbai, aims to support doctors and patients with timely and high-quality diagnostic services for chronic respiratory diseases.
With plans for nationwide expansion, the centres offer over 60 advanced diagnostic tests in the respiratory domain, including Oscillometry – a sound wave-based lung function test particularly useful for patients who are difficult to assess, such as children under five years of age.
The tests, conducted by trained technicians to ensure accuracy, span multiple specialities including pulmonology, immunology, microbiology, and radiology.
In addition to diagnostics, the centres also provide pulmonary nutrition guidance, rehabilitation support, and smoking cessation counselling to assist patients through various stages of disease management and recovery.
Medical Experts Emphasise Early Detection of Chronic Respiratory Diseases
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.”
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.”
He added, “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.”
