The World Day to combat Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease /COPD/ was marked at the National Assembly. COPD is among the most common chronic diseases among people over 45 years of age. The disease is characterized by progressive lowering of lung function the leading cause being smoking or protracted inhalation of dust or chemical contaminants. It is expected that by 2020 COPD would rank third among the most common causes of death /after cardiac diseases and stroke/.
Information about the disease and a White Paper containing facts and figures on pulmonary health in Bulgaria were presented at a special booth installed in the premises of the Bulgarian Parliament. MPs, journalists and guests had the opportunity to measure their respiratory volumes and get to know more about their lung health.
In her remarks, the Chairperson of the Parliamentary Committee on Health Dr. Daniela Daritkova noted that the purpose of the booth is to draw attention to this chronic noncommunicable diseases - part of the epidemic of noncommunicable diseases, which is a challenge to any health system. As leading medical specialists in pulmonology and allergology, we wish to unite efforts with NGOs and parliamentarians and focus our attention on risk factors that can be influenced by our prudent behavior and policies in favor of healthy lifestyles, Daniela Daritkova added. She recalled that during her previous term as Chair of the Health Committee a ban on smoking was introduced in enclosed public spaces in Bulgaria. This, in her words, is an investment in health, which in the future will bring a very high dividend, hence this policy should be followed by all subsequent compositions of Parliament.
In Bulgaria, about 14 percent of patients suffer from COPD, said Assoc. Prof. Diana Petkova, Chairperson of the Bulgarian Society of Pulmonary Diseases. She stressed the alarming fact that a large proportion are teenagers who are smokers.
Between 200,000 and 300,000 people in Europe die each year as a result of COPD. The disease kills more people annually than breast cancer and lung cancer combined.