Bermuda joined countries around the world in celebrating the joy of breathing freely as the Island marked World Asthma Day.

More than 9,000 locals suffer from asthma, which Health Minister and asthma sufferer Trevor Moniz warned is a growing worldwide epidemic.

More people in Bermuda miss school or work because of asthma than for any other type of disease, Mr Moniz said.

Liz Boden, head of the coordinating group Open Airways, took the occasion to introduce new director of asthma education Tracy Nash, and school asthma nurse Deanne Trott. She also unveiled the organisation’s new website, www.openairways.com.

“Approximately 2,000 people visit our Emergency Room every year with asthma,” said Debbie Barboza, who runs the Asthma Education Centre at King Edward VII Memorial Hospital.

“Every visit is a failure for asthma management. We’re here to encourage everybody with asthma to take advantage of our centre. There is no referral required.”

The day was marked also with a proclamation from City Hall, in which Mr Moniz urged all asthma sufferers to “learn more and breathe better”.

“See your doctor, make an appointment and get a personal asthma action plan,” Mr Moniz said. “There’s no need to suffer with asthma.”