On April 22, 2009, 17 year Aakriti Bhatia, a Year 12 student of Delhi's prestigious school, Modern School, Vasant Vihar, died of asthma attack whilst at school. It is reported that Aakriti reported of breathing problem at around 10:20am and asked for permission to leave school. According to Aakriti's parents the school is to be blamed for her untimely death as she was asked to climb stairs to second floor to take permission from sports teacher to go home. It has been reported that the school waited for Aakriti's parents to send a car in which she was taken to the hospital instead of calling an ambulance. However the school denies these reports.

In all this it seems that there is a game of passing buck going on here. When it comes to asthma there are certain things that one needs to keep in mind. Firstly, its a myth that asthma attack only happens when its cold. This is simply not the case. On setting of cold can be one of the reason but its not "the" reason for an asthma attack. Asthma can happen due to myriad of factors such as changes in weather, dust, anxiety, and even by certain foods.

Having an asthmatic child, I have provided the school with an Asthma Management Plan. This plan outlines what actions that need to be taken in case of an asthma attack. Secondly, I have provided with the medication that should be administered in case of such a situation.

In Aakriti's case, the school said that oxygen was provided to her but was she given any medication to open the passage? There is no use of administering oxygen if the passage to intake oxygen is inflammed and swollen. Secondly, why was the child made to go to the second floor to get permission? Shouldn't the sick bay be on ground floor? Also, why was an ambulance not called? Why was the child transported to hospital by a car or by a school van? Did the school nurse accompanied Aakriti on her way to hospital?

There are so many questions that need to be answered. Unfortunately, a young and beautiful life has been lost. I hope that in future the school authorities are more accountable. There is a need to change the attitude of the people regarding conditions like asthma. Asthma cannot be cured but can be effectively managed. If left untreated, it can be a killer disease like cancer and diabetes.