Lucknow: “Breathing freely is everyone’s right. Recognize allergies, make life easier,” said Prof. (Dr.) Ved Prakash, emphasizing the need for awareness and timely management of allergic diseases during the 59th Annual National Conference of the Indian College of Allergy, Asthma and Applied Immunology (ICAAICON 2025), being proudly hosted by the Department of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, King George’s Medical University (KGMU), Lucknow.
The four-day scientific event (October 30–November 2, 2025) has drawn over 800 delegates and more than 200 national and international experts, making it one of the most significant gatherings in the field of allergy, asthma, and applied immunology.
The pre-conference workshops, held on October 30, focused on Pulmonary Function Testing (PFT) and Allergy Testing Techniques, providing participants with hands-on training in advanced diagnostic tools, biologics, and immunotherapy. The following three days are dedicated to in-depth discussions on cutting-edge research, clinical innovations, and new therapeutic approaches.
Allergy and Asthma: A Global Health Concern
Allergies have emerged as one of the world’s most pressing health issues, affecting 30–40% of the global population, according to the World Allergy Organization. In India, air pollution contributes to nearly 1.6 million deaths annually, while 10–30% of adults and 40% of children suffer from Allergic Rhinitis. Food allergies impact up to 8% of children and 4% of adults, and asthma remains one of the leading non-communicable diseases globally, affecting 300 million people and causing about 450,000 preventable deaths each year.
In India alone, around 7.4 crore people are estimated to suffer from asthma, with women and children being disproportionately affected. Yet, studies show that only 5% of patients receive proper and continuous treatment.
Scientific Deliberations on Day Two
The second day of ICAAICON 2025 witnessed stimulating academic sessions centered on precision medicine, immunotherapy, and emerging clinical practices. Sessions on advances in allergen immunotherapy, biologics, and diagnostic innovations engaged participants throughout the day.
Highlights included:
- ICAAI Foundation Lecture by Dr. A.K. Janmeja, exploring the health and economic impacts of air pollution in India.
- A keynote by Prof. (Dr.) Ruby Pawankar (Japan) on Allergen Immunotherapy as a Prototype of Precision Medicine.
- A spirited debate on SCIT vs SLIT (Subcutaneous vs Sublingual Immunotherapy) chaired by Dr. Janmeja and Dr. Sudhir Choudhary.
Other sessions covered pediatric asthma, drug allergies, sleep medicine, and environmental and occupational allergies, while a symposium on critical care in asthma led by Dr. Anurag Tripathi, Dr. Sachin Kumar, and Dr. Mohammad Arif discussed management of severe asthma and non-invasive ventilation (NIV).
KGMU’s Commitment to Pulmonary Excellence
KGMU’s Department of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine has established itself as a national leader in respiratory medicine and innovation, housing India’s largest respiratory ICU with 30 beds and an 85% recovery rate for critical cases. The department is equipped with state-of-the-art diagnostic and therapeutic facilities including Advanced Pulmonary Function Testing, Skin Prick Testing (SPT), Immunotherapy, and Biologics.
With its pioneering work in Interventional Pulmonology, Sleep Medicine, and Allergy Research, the department continues to set benchmarks for clinical and academic excellence.
ICAAICON 2025 thus serves as a vital platform for knowledge exchange, fostering collaboration among physicians, researchers, and educators from around the globe. As Prof. (Dr.) Ved Prakash aptly stated, “Every breath carries the promise of a healthier India — through awareness, prevention, and innovation, we can make that promise a reality.”
