ASTHMA deaths in Northern Ireland are at their highest in a decade, according to new figures.
Statistics show 44 people in the north died from an asthma attack in 2015 - the highest number of deaths since 2004.
The number of asthma deaths has also jumped significantly in just the past year with 30 recorded in 2014.
Asthma UK last night warned the figures represent a "stark call" to the Stormont Assembly to take "rapid action".
There are currently 182,000 people or one in 10 receiving treatment for asthma in the north, including 36,000 children.
Kay Boycott, chief executive at Asthma UK, said: "It is alarming that asthma deaths in Northern Ireland are now at their highest levels in a decade.
"Three people die from asthma attacks every day, yet two thirds of these deaths could have been prevented with better basic care.
"Today's figures are a stark call to the Northern Ireland Assembly to take rapid action to ensure effective care is in place for everyone with asthma and prevent more people dying unnecessarily from asthma attacks in the future."
Ms Boycott added: "Every 10 seconds someone has a potentially life-threatening asthma attack.
"This is why it is so vital that everyone with asthma attends a regular asthma review with their GP or asthma nurse and takes their asthma medication as prescribed," she said,
"It is also essential that everyone has a written asthma action plan."
