India Pharma Outlook Team | Wednesday, 04 March 2026
Medanta – The Medicity has launched a public awareness campaign to shift the focus from seasonal concern over air pollution to continuous monitoring and prevention of chronic respiratory diseases (CRDs).
The campaign was unveiled by Naresh Trehan, chairman and managing director of Medanta, along with Randeep Guleria, chairman of respiratory and sleep medicine at Medanta Gurugram. As part of the initiative, the hospital introduced a Giant Lungs exhibit, an inflatable walkthrough of the human respiratory system designed to educate the public about lung health and early diagnosis of respiratory illnesses.
The installation allows visitors to walk through a model of the lungs while learning about the effects of air pollution, smoking, vaping and untreated respiratory conditions. The exhibit aims to increase public understanding of respiratory diseases and encourage preventive healthcare.
Trehan said air pollution, along with lifestyle risks such as vaping and the underdiagnosis of respiratory illnesses, has become a major public health concern in India.
“Air pollution, coupled with newer concerns like vaping and the widespread underdiagnosis of critical conditions such as chronic respiratory diseases, represents a fundamental challenge to public health, silently stealing years from our lives,” he said. “We must shift from periodic alerts to continuous vigilance and action. This initiative aims to help people understand how to protect their lung health every day.”
India accounts for more than 30 per cent of global deaths and disability-adjusted life years (DALYs) linked to CRDs. Data shows that particulate matter levels in India in 2023 were more than eight times higher than limits recommended by the World Health Organization.
Air pollution is estimated to reduce life expectancy in India by an average of 3.5 years. In the Delhi-NCR region, prolonged exposure to high particulate matter levels could reduce life expectancy by as much as 8.2 years.
Experts also point to significant underdiagnosis of respiratory diseases. Estimates suggest that 95–98 per cent of COPD cases and nearly 70 per cent of severe asthma cases in India remain undetected.
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Medanta said the campaign will include public outreach and awareness activities focused on early detection and prevention of respiratory diseases.
