Comic Book to Educate Children About Asthma Launched in Malaysia

KUALA LUMPUR, May 29 (Bernama) -- The Asthma Council Malaysia (ACM) on Tuesday launched a comic book about Asthma as an easy way to make children understand and be aware about the disease. The comic produced in both English and Bahasa Melayu feature a group of heroic characters called "Medikidz" from Medilan planet who came to earth in a mission to make sick kids, their families and friends understood about diseases by putting medical information about diseases and medicines into plain words. The fully-coloured comic book published in Great Britain by Medikidz Limited London written by a team of doctors and reviewed by specilists, will be distributed to all government and private hospitals in the country starting Tuesday. The comic book was launched by Consultant Paediatrician of Paediatric Institute Kuala Lumpur Hospital Dr Norzila Mohamed Zainudin. The project was a collaboration between ACM and GlaxoSmithKline Pharmaceutical Sdn Bhd. Speaking to reporters afterwards, Dr Norzila said it was important for everyone to be aware and understand about asthma and how to manage the disease. She said in Malaysia, Asthma affects between 10 to 13 per cent of the total population, with a large majority who are under treated and living poor quality lives. Globally, an estimated 300 milion people are currently suffering from Asthma and it is the most common chronic disease among children ,asthma affects people of all ethnic groups, socio-ecomic levels and ages," she added. Dr Norzila said among factors that causes Asthma includes chemical irritants, certain drugs (aspirin and beta blockers),inhaled allergens such as (dust mites,pollen,cat and dog allergens),tobacco smoke and air pollution. -- BERNAMA