Kolkata observed World COPD Day 2025 Inauguration by Fire Minister Sujit Bose at Kolkata. Photo by Bibhash Lodh/BS News Agency.
Sanchita Chatterjee, BS News Agency, Kolkata, 19th November 2025: Manipal Hospitals Kolkata observed World COPD Day
2025 with a powerful, action-driven initiative that combined public
awareness, expert dialogue, and the launch of Manipal Hospitals’ Smoking
Cessation Clinic and the Pulmonary Rehabilitation & Vaccination Clinic, two
major additions to its comprehensive respiratory care programme. The event
was graced by celebrated cricketer and presenter Jhulan Goswami as Chief
Guest, alongside acclaimed filmmaker Goutam Ghose, football icon Goutam
Sarkar, MP Saayoni Ghosh and MLA Sujit Bose with
distinguished IAS and IPS officers and athletes, whose presence added
inspiration and visibility to the cause of lung health.
The newly launched Smoking Cessation Clinic
will offer structured counselling, behavioural support, medical management and
follow-up to help individuals break nicotine dependence effectively. While the Pulmonary
Rehabilitation & Vaccination Clinic aims to strengthen long-term lung
function through customised rehabilitation plans, breathing therapy, and
scientifically guided vaccination schedules to safeguard high-risk populations
from preventable respiratory infections. Together, these initiatives underline
Manipal Hospitals’ commitment to early intervention, prevention, and
patient-centred pulmonary care.
The programme began with an interactive open forum led
by Pulmonology Consultants across Manipal Hospitals Kolkata units. Senior
specialists spoke on COPD symptoms, environmental triggers, early detection,
smoking cessation, and vaccination. Their insights helped dispel misconceptions
and encouraged a proactive approach to respiratory health.
Following the formal inauguration of the clinics, a
panel discussion featuring senior pulmonologists served as the highlight of the
event. The discussion delved into the growing burden of COPD, the
behavioural and clinical dimensions of smoking cessation, and the increasing
importance of preventive vaccinations for pulmonary diseases. The panel
comprised Dr. Debraj Jash – Director – Pulmonology, Manipal Hospitals
Kolkata, Dr. Suranjan Mukherjee, Senior Consultant - Respiratory
Medicine / Pulmonology, Manipal Hospital Dhakuria, Dr. Arnab Bera, Consultant
– Pulmonology, Manipal Hospital Saltlake, Dr. Moumita Chatterjee,
Consultant - Pulmonology, Manipal Hospital EM Bypass and Dr.
Ayush Goel, Consultant – Pulmonology, Manipal Hospitals Dhakuria and EM
Bypass. The session blended evidence-based guidance with practical
insights for both clinicians and the public.
During the panel discussion, Dr. Debraj Jash, shared, “The launch of the Smoking Cessation Clinic
is a vital step forward, especially when India accounts for nearly 12% of
the world’s smokers and sees over 1 million smoking-related deaths every
year as per WHO. Smoking remains the biggest driver of COPD, which today
affects more than 55 million people in India. Helping individuals quit
through structured counselling and medical support significantly improves
success rates and slows disease progression. With the addition of our Pulmonary
Rehabilitation & Vaccination Clinic, we can now offer a comprehensive
pathway that strengthens lung function, reduces hospitalisations, and improves
overall quality of life. These services reaffirm our commitment to building a
healthier, more informed community.”
Dr. Suranjan
Mukherjee, stated, “Lung health often
goes unnoticed until symptoms become difficult to manage, which is why
preventive care is essential. Vaccination plays a major role in protecting the
lungs from serious infections that can worsen COPD, asthma, and other chronic
respiratory conditions. Adults above 50, individuals with chronic lung disease,
smokers, and those with weakened immunity should strongly consider vaccines
such as the Influenza vaccine (annually) and the Pneumococcal vaccines, which
offer long-term protection against pneumonia and invasive bacterial infections.
Younger adults with risk factors, including asthma, smoking habits, or frequent
respiratory infections, also benefit from timely vaccination. By promoting
awareness about routine respiratory vaccines and the right age to receive them,
we hope to equip people and families with the knowledge they need to safeguard
their lungs and prevent avoidable complications.”
Dr. Ayanabh Debgupta, Regional COO (East), Manipal
Hospitals, added, “COPD continues to
be one of India’s most serious respiratory health concerns, contributing to
nearly 10% of all deaths in the country, according to the Indian
Council of Medical Research (ICMR). At Manipal Hospitals, we are focused on
improving access to timely and preventive respiratory care. The launch of the
Smoking Cessation Clinic and the Pulmonary Rehabilitation & Vaccination
Clinic will help patients receive the right guidance, early support, and
continuous care under one system. Our aim is to help people manage lung
diseases better, reduce complications, and build a healthier community with
strong, reliable pulmonary services.”
With the launch of these specialised pulmonary
services, Manipal Hospitals Kolkata strengthens its commitment to preventive
and comprehensive respiratory care. By combining smoking cessation support,
pulmonary rehabilitation, and vaccination services, the hospital aims to help
individuals manage lung diseases more effectively.