“Daily living becomes challenging, Respiratory patients face double burden due to air pollution: Dr. Surya Kant”
Lucknow: The second day of the “RespiWalk 2026” conference, organized by the Department of Respiratory Medicine at King George’s Medical University, Lucknow, was inaugurated with the ceremonial lighting of the lamp by the Hon’ble Vice Chancellor, Dr. Sonia Nityanand (Padma Shri), along with the Head of the Department, Dr. Surya Kant, and other distinguished guests. Under the capable and inspiring leadership of the chief organizer, Dr. Surya Kant, the grand conference witnessed the presence of renowned physicians from across the country at Brown Hall, making the event a great success.
Addressing the gathering, Vice Chancellor Dr. Sonia Nityanand emphasized that with the rising burden of respiratory diseases, a balance between modern medical technologies and public awareness is crucial. She stated that while advanced medical methods help in early diagnosis and better treatment, it is equally important for people to recognize symptoms in time, avoid pollution, and adopt a healthy lifestyle. She congratulated Dr. Surya kant for the successful organizing of “RespiWalk 2026”, noting that the conference was both informative and impactful, and would provide a new direction for respiratory care and awareness in society.
Dr. Surya Kant, President of the Organization for Conservation of Environment and Nature (OCEAN), delivered a highly impactful lecture on the “Vayu Mitra” campaign. He stressed the importance of community awareness and public participation in combating air pollution. As a respiratory specialist, he remarked that “Clean Air” is no longer just an environmental concern but a critical medical necessity. Just as medicines and a healthy lifestyle are important, clean air is equally fundamental for good health.
He highlighted that several Indian cities, especially Delhi and Lucknow, are severely affected by air pollution, with PM2.5 levels far exceeding safe limits. This exposes people to toxic air daily, significantly impacting health. Based on his clinical experience, cases of asthma, allergies, chronic cough, and breathlessness are rapidly increasing. Studies indicate that children in polluted cities are at a much higher risk of asthma, and nearly one in three may suffer reduced lung function.
Dr. Surya Kant further explained that air pollution not only affects the lungs but the entire body. Fine particulate matter can enter the bloodstream, increasing the risk of heart disease, stroke, diabetes, and cancer. It can even impact fetal development during pregnancy. He emphasized early detection and prevention, noting that many individuals ignore initial symptoms. Promoting the concept of “Vayu Mitra,” he encouraged citizens to contribute through small actions such as reducing vehicle use, avoiding waste burning, conserving energy, and planting trees. He also administered a pledge to participants to become “Vayu Mitras” and spread awareness against air pollution.
The session was chaired by Dr. Ashwani Kumar Mishra and Dr. Gaurav Srivastava. Continuing the discussions, Dr. Ruchi Dua spoke on metabolic COPD, while Lt. Col. Dr. Kislay Kishore shared a global perspective on COPD prevention. Dr. Abhishek Tandon and Dr. V. K. Jain elaborated on the future and prevention of asthma. In the ILD session, Dr. Ashok Kumar Singh discussed early intervention, Dr. Anubhuti Singh explained autoimmune ILD, and Dr. Ranganath T. G. presented recent research on pulmonary fibrosis.
Dr. Surya Kant also highlighted that the technical sessions focused on the importance of modern medical technologies. Dr. Saurabh Mittal from AIIMS, Delhi, discussed the increasing use of cryotherapy in intensive care units, while Dr. Sandeep Bhattacharya emphasized the transformative role of artificial intelligence in respiratory medicine. Dr. Ankit Bhatia addressed complex topics such as benign airway stenosis. A key highlight of the conference was the prestigious Khanna Mukherjee Nath Memorial Lecture delivered by Dr. Manoj Kumar Goyal, chaired by Dr. Surya Kant, Dr. R. A. S. Kushwaha, and Dr. Ankit Kumar. Distinguished guests including Dr. Rajendra Prasad, Dr. V. K. Jain (Jaipur), Dr. S. D. Pandey (President, KGMU Alumni Association), and Dr. P. K. Sharma (Secretary) also shared their insights.
In the final phase, a special panel discussion was held under the guidance of Dr. Surya Kant, Chair of the North Zone Task Force of the National TB Elimination Program. Experts including Dr. Gajendra Vikram Singh, Dr. Darshan Kumar Bajaj, and Dr. Jyoti Bajpai discussed strategies to tackle challenges in tuberculosis elimination.
Concluding the event, Dr. Surya Kant appreciated the dedicated efforts of the organizing secretary, Dr. Ankit Kumar, and the entire organizing team for the successful execution of the conference. He announced that all participants would be granted lifetime membership of the Pulmonary Rehabilitation Society (PRS).
Dr. Ankit Kumar formally declared the conclusion of the two-day academic conference and expressed gratitude to approximately 300 pulmonologists, general physicians, critical care specialists, PG residents, physiotherapists, and all faculty members, healthcare staff, and supporting personnel who contributed to the success of the event.
