Vision

Our center was created in 2013 after a national meeting with WHO-EMRO , this meeting highlighted the impact of Chronic Respiratory Diseases and comorbidities: • What we should know: - Every year non-communicable diseases (NCDs) : Cardiac Diseases , hypertension, diabetes, asthma and Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Diseases are responsible for 41 million deaths globally – three-quarters of these deaths occur in low- and middle-income countries. -The global prevalence of COPD is 10.3%. It is the Third cause of Death worldwide. -Asthma is a common chronic disease that is estimated by the Global Burden of Disease in 2019 to affect as many as 262 million people worldwide. About 1000 people per day die from asthma. - In Syria, a GARD research project in 2011 showed that the prevalence of asthma is 8% and of COPD is 3.5%. But asthma is increasing in Syria: Participating in the Global Asthma network survey in 2020, showed that Wheezing in the last 12 months in children 13-14 years old was 19.8%, and that only 4% of them are treated with inhaled corticosteroids. - Allergic Rhinitis is most prevalent. - Smoking cigarettes is prevalent and water- pipe (Narghile) is widespread. - Non attention on Air-pollution in Syria - We will take this occasion to fight against the overuse of antibiotics for influenza • Our center aspires to continue leading and coordinating a multisector work on Chronic Respiratory Diseases (CRD) , between primary care health centers ,and hospitals in Latakia and whole Syria in collaboration with Ministry of Health , then to continue and improve Regional collaboration through EMRO and international Collaboration through GARD-WHO. • We aspire to work in a comprehensive approach considering : 1. Advocacy, 2. Partnership, 3. National plans on prevention and control, and 4. Surveillance for CRD focusing on field clinical research and taking in consideration air pollution • with the aim of contributing to the development of society, collaborating with NGOs and including patients’ opinion in all • We will also consider Medical Syndicate to include the private sector • Pursue regional and international collaboration • we aspire to reduce the prevalence and burden of allergies and Chronic airways diseases and comorbidities via the implementation of optimal care through education, research, and advocacy. Air pollution will be an issue, knowledge of doctors and education of patients as well • we will target the UN Sustainable Development Goals

Mission

Our National Center is connected to WHO, Global Asthma network, and many universities in developed and developing countries. We aim to optimize patient care with all care providers: pharmacists, general practitioners, pulmonologists, pediatricians, allergologists and otorhinolaryngologists (Ear, Nose and Throat specialists), but also when needed Cardiologists, emergency specialists and Dialectologists. Information and communication of key messages are targeted to health workers, to decision makers, to stakeholders and to the community. We aim to continue practical and clinical research focusing on local Medical non resolved questions and social needs for prevention and control of non-communicable diseases. (Need of free inhalers of corticosteroids and Long acting beta2 Agonists before all and for all, pocket money is not the solution)