The Vietnam Asthma and Allergy Association (VNAAA) will provide free medical checks for 1,000 asthmatics in Hanoi early next week.

According to VNAAA Chairman Nguyen Nang An, there is an estimated 4,000 asthmatics in Hanoi, but the real figure could be much higher.

Mr An said although the disease could be treated and controlled, many people lacked knowledge about asthma and their capacity to follow treatment was weak.

The projected average costs for direct treatment including medicine, testing and hospital bills amount to more than US$ 300 per head per year.