ঢাকামঙ্গলবার , ২৬ মে ২০২৬
Kuala Lumpur, 4 May 2025 — Air pollution is silently claiming more lives each year than COVID-19, warned Dr. Belal Bin Asaf, Founder Trustee of India’s Lung Care Foundation, during a media capacity-building workshop held at Sunway University, Malaysia.
Citing global health data, Dr. Asaf noted, “Since 2019, COVID-19 has caused nearly 7 million deaths worldwide. In stark contrast, air pollution is responsible for approximately 8.1 million deaths annually — making it one of the most urgent yet under-recognized public health crises of our time.”
The workshop, part of the Capacity Development and Training Workshop Series for Media Professionals, was hosted by Sunway University.
Dr. Asaf raised deep concern over the worsening health impacts of air pollution across South Asia — including Malaysia — pointing to rising rates of lung cancer, respiratory diseases, and cardiovascular conditions. He particularly emphasized the vulnerability of children, unborn babies, and the elderly.
“Despite living under dangerously polluted skies, public awareness remains alarmingly low,” he said. “We need urgent, collective action to prevent this invisible killer from claiming more lives.”
Calling on governments, civil society, and media to treat air pollution as a public health emergency, Dr. Asaf stressed, “We cannot afford silence. The media must play a crucial role in raising awareness and pressuring for stricter air quality regulations.”
The Lung Care Foundation continues to advocate for stronger clean air policies and regional cooperation to combat pollution’s deadly effects across South and Southeast Asia. Without bold and immediate action, Dr. Asaf warned, the region risks facing a silent epidemic of preventable illness and death.
