World-Leading Experts Convene to Discuss Respiratory Disease Burden

30 July 2025

KOTA KINABALU: In a significant move to address the global and regional crisis of respiratory diseases, top lung health experts from around the world have gathered in Kota Kinabalu for the NIHR Global Health Research Unit on Respiratory Health (RESPIRE)’s Annual Scientific Meeting. The four-day event, running from July 29 to August 1, 2025, marks RESPIRE’s first conference in Sabah since its establishment in 2017, underscoring the urgent need for increased investment and collaboration in lung health research across Asia.

Lung conditions remain a leading cause of mortality worldwide, responsible for one in five deaths globally. Asia, in particular, faces a severe burden, with Malaysia ranking among the countries most affected. In Malaysia, respiratory diseases are among the top three causes of hospitalization and death, with conditions such as asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), and post-tuberculosis (TB) lung disease impacting large segments of the population.

The opening ceremony featured a keynote address by Datuk Dr. Nor Fariza Ngah, Deputy Director-General of Health (Research) from Malaysia’s Ministry of Health. Dr. Ngah emphasised the importance of strategic priorities to improve respiratory health nationwide, calling for intensified efforts in screening, diagnosis, and treatment.

Research presentations during the conference highlighted recent breakthroughs and ongoing studies aimed at reducing the respiratory disease burden. Notably, Sabah faces unique challenges, with the highest incidence of TB in Malaysia, 161 cases per 100,000 population. The World Health Organization estimates that globally, 10 million people develop TB each year, yet only 70% are diagnosed and recorded in national systems. In response, RESPIRE researchers are working closely with the Sabah Health Department to develop innovative diagnostic algorithms to identify undiagnosed cases, especially in resource-limited settings.

The financial and social impacts of respiratory diseases are profound. Managing COPD alone costs Malaysia an estimated RM 2.3 billion annually, straining healthcare resources and affecting workforce productivity. Despite the lack of specific data for Sabah, health officials believe the situation mirrors national trends, prompting calls for enhanced screening and early diagnosis initiatives.

The conference also aligns with Malaysia’s broader health strategies, including the Healthy Lung Initiative 2025-2030. Furthermore, global efforts received a boost from the recent 78th World Health Assembly, which adopted a landmark resolution titled "Promoting and Prioritizing an Integrated Lung Health Approach." The resolution advocates for strengthened prevention, diagnosis, and management strategies, with primary care as a pivotal point of intervention. It emphasizes the importance of clean air policies, equitable access to care, and integration of lung health into broader non-communicable disease and climate resilience efforts.

With the support of collaborations like RESPIRE, policymakers and health authorities aim to translate research findings into actionable policies that will improve respiratory health outcomes across Malaysia and Asia. As the region continues to face the growing threat of respiratory diseases, the Kota Kinabalu gathering signifies a pivotal step toward a healthier future for millions affected by lung condition.