Reference the story in ‘The Island’ on May 6 titled ‘Asthma on the increase’, Dr. B. J. C. Perera has to say the following:

"In the above report there is a factual error attributed to me. What is printed is that "In all of Asia, 2% to 8% children between 13-14 are suffering from severe bronchial asthma and most of them die." This is not correct and I never said this at the press conference. Very severely affected children run the risk of losing their lives during a severe acute attack.

The correct position and the truth is that some of them MAY die if they are not treated properly. In fact with appropriate treatment, one could prevent almost all of the deaths in asthmatic children.

Dr. B. J. C. Perera Consultant Paediatrician, Lady Ridgeway Hospital for children.