"Do You Have Allergies?
Let’s Follow Together the Road of Allergy Prevention and Control”
On May 10th, 2016, the Bulgarian Society of Allergology launched the National Awareness Campaign "Do You Have Allergies? Let’s Follow Together the Road of Allergy Prevention and Control”. The main objective of the campaign is to raise awareness of allergy and asthma in the Bulgarian society, and more specifically, of the need to ensure better prevention, early diagnosis, treatment and control of these diseases.
The campaign inauguration event, that took place in the University Hospital "Alexandrovska" in Sofia, included a series of awareness raising activities such as the allergy exhibition where participants had opportunity to get familiar with the Bulgarian pollen calendar and to look at the most common allergens (e.g. domestic mites, moulds, pollen seeds) through a microscope. Participants, among which there were many patients, were also able to take a skin-prick test with common inhalant and food allergens, and to receive an expert advice. Lung function by means of spirometry and exhaled breath temperature was tested as well. 
Many public figures and politicians joined the event to show their support to the campaign and to take part in the press conference on the topic of better management and prevention of allergic diseases in Bulgaria. During the press conference, the organisers presented the video "Do You Have Allergies? Let’s Follow Together the Road of Allergy Prevention and Control”, a joint project of the Bulgarian Society of Allergology, medical professionals, patients and institutions, aimed to raise public awareness of the significant socio-economic implications of allergies and asthma in Bulgaria. The event concluded with the symbolic act of planting trees carrying a message about allergy in the park of the University Hospital “Alexandrovska”.
The event had a great media and public impact and it was successful in raising awareness of the burden of allergic diseases amongst Bulgarian policy-makers and the Bulgarian society.
The inauguration event was organised by the Bulgarian Society of Allergology in collaboration with the Association of the Bulgarians suffering from Bronchial Asthma, Allergies (ABBA, part of EFA) and COPD, and with the kind support of the University Hospital "Alexandrovska", the Medical University of Sofia, the National Health Committee of the 43rd National Assembly of the Republic of Bulgaria and the European Academy of Allergy and Clinical Immunology (EAACI).A second event was held on May 18th in the city of Stara Zagora – one of the most polluted areas in our country. Meetings with local journalists were organised, as well as patient consultations. Also there, a great number of people had the chance to be examined and received expert advice.
Click here to see more pictures from the event in Sofia.
About the campaign
The Bulgarian National Allergy Awareness Campaign "Do You Have Allergies? Let’s Follow Together the Road of Allergy Prevention and Control” aims raise public awareness about:
- the need for epidemiological studies to assess the true burden of allergic diseases in Bulgaria;
- the importance to implement appropriate environmental control measures to reduce triggers and risk factors for allergies and asthma like smoking and outdoor pollutants, and to develop adequate preventative measures;
- the need to promote patients’ access to well-trained medical personnel for better diagnosis and treatment of their allergic diseases, as well as to make steps towards better availability and affordability of drugs;
These objectives will be achieved through a series of the specific actions:
- development and implementation of an adequate National Allergy Prevention Programme;
- development and participation in larger EU-funded projects on allergic diseases and asthma;
- positioning Allergy and Asthma at the forefront of the Bulgarian Chronic Diseases policies;
- promotion and introduction of allergy preventive measures among medical personnel, patients and non-governmental organizations;
- enhancing the partnership of allergists with the patient organisations and the Bulgarian community;
The campaign will run until December 2016, with a series of regional press conferences and open doors to patients in 9 Bulgarian cities in different geographic areas: Sofia, Stara Zagora, Berkovitsa, Montana, Burgas, Pernik, Rousse, Plovdiv and Petrich. During the campaign skin-prick tests for aero and food allergens will be conducted, as well as spirometries. Participants will be also provided with relevant medical advice about their health condition.
Last updated 23 June 2016