The Directorate-General of Primary Health Care represented by the Department of Non-Communicable Diseases, Ministry of Health (MOH) conducted a workshop at the Oman Health Science Institute to discuss the management of asthma in the primary health care institutions. A total of 60 pharmacists, nurses and physicians from all governorates were attended this workshop.

A National Asthma Clinic Register and Asthma Patient Follow-up Booklet were launched during the workshop under the auspice of Dr. Said Hareb al-Lamki, MOH Director General of Primary Health Care.

During the ceremony, the task force who had worked on developing the national asthma clinic register and asthma patient follow-up booklet, as well as Oman respiratory society were awarded and thanked for their efforts. This task force include physicians from several governorates and staff from the non-communicable disease department.

The workshop discussed the important data available with regards to the management of asthma. The asthma register contains different patient demographic details as well as crucial components to ensure the adequate running of the asthma clinic.

It is worth mentioning that the Asthma Patient Follow-up Booklet serve as an educational tool and different tips, in which instructions were included in both Arabic and English. It is highlighting the importance of self-management in asthma, as well as copies of the asthma action plan have also been made available in the booklets. These direct the patient to what to do before going to the hospital and when to seek emergency care.

Dr. Shadha Saud Al-Raisi, chronic respiratory disease program manager in the non-communicable disease department pointed out to the importance of the work conducted by the team who had worked on the register and booklet as well as the importance of the work done in the workshops. She also stated that these new additions and the work conducted throughout the years should hopefully ensure a space within the busy primary health care set ups for the proper management of asthmatic patients.

The workshop consisted a number of lectures which were given by consultants from Royal Hospital. Dr. Younis Al Bulushi, pediatric pulmonologist discussed the management of both chronic and acute asthma in children. The management of asthma in adults was discussed by Dr. Nabil Al-Lawati, Senior consultant respiratory and sleep physician. He also discussed the use of spirometry machines in terms of its procedure and interpretation.

To enforce the importance of a practical teaching approach, participants were divided into 5 groups which allowed them to have hands on teaching on the use of the different equipment and tools that are available in the asthma clinic. These practical workstations are supervised and run by facilitators who have long experience in running the asthma clinics.