Parents in Bermuda urged to register school children with asthma

HAMILTON, Bermuda, CMC – The Bermuda government is urging parents with students to have them registered with the Bermuda Student Asthma Registry after a survey last year showed that 29 students were admitted to the hospital for asthma-related concerns.

In addition, 22 per cent, or one in five, reported experiencing an asthma attack during the year.

Asthma is a common long-term lung disease that causes inflammation, excess mucus and tightening of the muscles around the airways, making it hard to breathe.

The Ministries of Health and Education said the online registry supports local asthma healthcare providers by helping them track students with asthma and ensure appropriate support is in place throughout the school year.

“Each September, we ask parents to take a few minutes to update their child’s information so we can give every student with asthma the very best support. A child’s health needs can change, and registering each year ensures our asthma specialists have the most accurate, up-to-date details,” said Health Minister Kim Wilson, emphasising the importance of annual registration.

“When we work together, we can help our students enjoy a healthy, confident, and active school year.”

The registry is a collaborative initiative of the Department of Education, the Department of Health, the Bermuda Hospitals Board (BHB) Asthma Education Centre, and Open Airways, a Bermuda-registered charity.

All information submitted is held in strict confidence.

“We want every student to feel confident and supported throughout the school year, and that includes making sure children with asthma have what they need to stay healthy and fully engaged in learning,” said Education Minister Diallo Rabain.

“By registering, parents help us create safer, more responsive school environments where every child can thrive,” he added.

According to the findings of the 2025/26 Student Asthma Registry, 57 per cent of students with asthma missed school days and 43 per cent of students were either using their spacer incorrectly or did not have one.

Spacers help medication work more effectively and with fewer side effects.

The survey found that while 67 per cent of students believed their asthma was “well-controlled”, more than half of those students still missed school, a clear sign that their asthma was not well-controlled.

Only 39 per cent of all students surveyed actually had well-controlled asthma.

“Our collaborative team of health providers is working with the primary aim of ensuring every child with asthma receives the proper guidance and assistance they need to have a healthy and successful school year,” said Asthma & COPD Educator Nicola MacDougall from Open Airways.

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