JCI holds free medical camp

March 6, 2012

Mangalore, March 6: Junior chamber International, Mangalore, in association with Mangalore Paint Dealers Association conducted a free medical camp on Sunday at SDM Mangaljyothi Integrated School, Vamanjoor, near here.

MSW Dept. of St. Aloysius College, Child Fund Project, Mangaljyothi Integrated School and KMC Hospital Mangalore also extended their support for the camp.

Corporator of the area Meera Ashok inaugurated the programme. Community coordinator of Mangalajyothi T Nagendra Rao, Medical Social Worker of KMC Mangalore, Ruth Stevenson, Project Officer of Child Fund Project, and Mahendra Billava were the guests.

President of JCI Mangalore and Mangalore Paint dealers association Jc Mahesh Kamath welcomed the gathering. Vice President Ramesh Shenoy, Secretary of JCI Mangalore Jc Roshan Deepak Pinto, Project coordinator Jc Dr.Rahul T.G, Mr Sathyaprakash of KMC Mangalore were also present.

Deepthi, Student of St Aloysius College compered the program. MSW students Surabi, Sreedivya, Fr.Binoy, Jayaprakash and Nazrinson coordinated the event.

As many as 300 people from the area took benifit from the medical camp.

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Respiratory illnesses rise in Karnataka’s capital as air quality deteriorates

News Network

February 5,2026

Bengaluru: As air quality continues to worsen across several parts of the city, hospitals in Bengaluru are reporting a steady rise in patients suffering from respiratory illnesses such as asthma, bronchitis and Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD), health officials and doctors said.

Data from the Suvarna Arogya Suraksha Trust (SAST) shows that 3,891 patients received treatment for respiratory ailments between April and November 2024. The figure rose to 4,187 during the same period in 2025.

Private hospitals, too, are witnessing a 10–15 per cent year-on-year increase in such cases.

While doctors caution that the rise cannot be attributed solely to air pollution, a significant number of patients are non-smokers with no prior history of respiratory disease.

“Nearly 70 per cent of the patients we see are non-smokers with no previous respiratory issues. When other causes are ruled out, air pollution emerges as the most likely factor,” said Dr Manjunath PH, consultant interventional pulmonologist at a hospital in Kengeri.

Doctors noted that patient footfall spikes during the winter months and around Deepavali, when air quality typically worsens.

“There is a clear correlation between poor air quality and the rise in cases. People commonly present with persistent cough, breathlessness and irritation of the respiratory tract, indicating the impact of polluted air on their health,” said Dr Sheetal Chaurasia, consultant in pulmonary medicine at a private hospital in Whitefield.

Dr Chaurasia added that respiratory tract infections are also on the rise.

“Poor air quality leads to chronic airway inflammation, making the airways more vulnerable to infections. We are seeing an increase in both upper and lower respiratory tract infections,” she said.

Patients with pre-existing respiratory conditions remain the worst affected.

“For those already diagnosed with respiratory illnesses, deteriorating air quality significantly worsens the condition. Both the frequency and severity of attacks increase sharply,” said Dr Vandana P, a pulmonologist at a hospital on Bannerghatta Road.

Doctors also flagged a worrying trend of rising respiratory problems among younger adults and children.

To reduce exposure, they advised people to wear masks while travelling on two-wheelers or autos and ensure adequate ventilation at home to minimise indoor air pollution.

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