Asian Hospital Launches State-of-the-Art Interstitial Lung Disease Center

Asian Hospital and Medical Center (AHMC) has officially launched its Interstitial Lung Disease (ILD) Center under the newly established Asian Institute of Respirology (AIR).

This initiative, supported by Boehringer Ingelheim (Philippines) Inc., aims to provide comprehensive, world-class care for patients suffering from the rare and complex condition of interstitial lung disease.

Dr. Lenora Fernandez, Program Director of AIR, emphasized the significance of the center, saying, "We are launching the first center of excellence under AIR, which will focus on ILD. Our mission is to provide accessible, specialized pulmonary healthcare services to all individuals."

Comprehensive Care for Interstitial Lung Disease Patients

The ILD Center will offer advanced diagnostics, personalized treatment options, and ongoing support services to manage ILD, a condition characterized by inflammation and scarring of the lungs' functional tissue. The center's multidisciplinary approach will ensure that patients receive holistic care from diagnosis through ongoing management, streamlining their treatment journey.

Collaborative Effort to Improve ILD Management

The partnership between Asian Hospital and Boehringer Ingelheim aims to enhance ILD management through patient support programs and medical education. Dr. Giovanni Nazario, Medical Advisor at Boehringer Ingelheim (Philippines), stressed the importance of collaboration, saying, “By working with Asian Hospital, we aim to ensure that patients with ILD have access to the best care and support possible.”

Expanding Services at the Asian Institute of Respirology

The Asian Institute of Respirology plans to expand its services further, starting with the ILD Center. Future initiatives include fellowship training programs in pulmonary rehabilitation and the launch of a TB-DOTS clinic. The institute will also focus on managing pulmonary masses and pulmonary arterial hypertension.

Raising Awareness and Collecting Data

Given the complexity and variety of causes of ILD, a multidisciplinary approach is essential for accurate diagnosis and effective treatment. Dr. Ethel Añonuevo, Associate Director of the Asian Institute of Respirology and Head of the ILD Center, noted the importance of data collection, “In the Philippines, there is a lack of ILD data. Establishing more ILD clinics and centers will allow us to gather critical information about the prevalence of ILD in the country.”

Advancing Research and Patient Care

The launch of the ILD Center marks a significant step forward in the management of interstitial lung disease in the Philippines. Asian Hospital remains dedicated to advancing research and providing world-class healthcare, aiming to improve the quality of life for ILD patients across the nation.