Help for asthma sufferers

Glastonbury, Conn. (WTNH) - Seeing a specialist for asthma can be costly, especially if you don't have health insurance.

Michael Zotta is among the first taking advantage of the program at Allergy Associates of Hartford. Dr. Prasad Srninivasan is offering free asthma services for two years at the Glastonbury office. 

"Just to see my doctor was $75 a shot," Michael said.

He says he avoided seeing a doctor because he just couldn't afford it.

Dr. Srinivasan is opening up his office the first Wednesday of every month.

"The biggest hesitation people have is that they can not believe that it is a free clinic in a private setting," he said.

Dr. Srinivasan says bronchial asthma, a chronic inflammation of the lungs, is on the rise. Early detection and treatment Dr. Srinivasan are key to managing it. But with fewer doctor visits, Michael was medicating himself on his inhaler.

"He says you are suppose to use it maybe, maybe 10 to 15 times a year. I'm using it between 7 to 10 times a day. So I'm hurting my body and I've been doing it for two years now," Michael said.

Drastic measures in desperate times - something Dr. Srinivasan finds disturbing.

"In that interim period, they really do not know what to do, they do not know whether they can go to a particular place and be seen and equally important how are they going to refill their medication," he said.

Dr. Srinivasan is also providing free medication. Call (860) 659-8904 for more information.