COPD (Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease) is a disease that affects the respiratory system. Chronic and increasing shortness of breath and cough are the main symptoms of COPD. An estimated five lakh persons in Kerala suffer from COPD. The health department has launched  SWAAS clinics for the prevention, control and treatment of COPD by including it as a lifestyle disease. Apart from the 513 SWAAS clinics currently functioning in the state, the Health Department is preparing to expand SWAAS clinics in more hospitals.

Kerala was the first state in India to launch a public health program for COPD. The SWAAS (step-wise approach to airway syndromes) clinics at family health centers were launched as part of Aardram, recognizing that COPD is emerging as a serious public health issue in the State. These clinics are available now in 474  family health centers and 39 district and general hospitals in the State.

In addition to SWAAS clinics, pulmonary rehabilitation clinics are also functioning in 227 social health centers. Breathing exercises, other aerobic exercises, help for tobacco cessation, as well as counseling services to help these patients manage depression are all available through these clinics. These services will benefit not just COPD patients but also those suffering from other respiratory diseases and post-Covid pulmonary issues.