“Dean Befus Asthma Clinic” opens in El Salvador

dean-befus

On November 28, 2013, a much-needed asthma clinic opened in El Salvador’s National Lung Hospital. The “Clinica del Asma: Dr. Dean Befus” is named after AllerGen investigator Dr. Dean Befus, director the University of Alberta-based Alberta Asthma Centre, who spearheaded the initiative to help establish the new facility. Support from AllerGen was essential in the development of cooperative relationships which led to a Memorandum of Understanding between the Alberta Asthma Centre and the country’s Ministry of Health.

The project provided staff training; developed a spectrum of teaching and educational materials; and secured a donation from Alberta Health Services of major pulmonary function equipment. Under the leadership of Dr. Befus and his colleague Dr. Gustavo Zayas, the Alberta Asthma Centre will continue to collaborate with their partners in El Salvador towards the development of a national Asthma Management Program and accessibility to high quality, inexpensive asthma drugs across the country.