Dr. Lenora Fernandez, program director of Asian Institute of Respirology (AIR), announced, “We are launching the first center of excellence under the AIR, which will be our ILD clinic. Our mission is to deliver accessible, world-class pulmonary specialized healthcare services to every individual.”

The ILD Center will serve as a specialized facility dedicated to the comprehensive management of interstitial lung disease, a rare and complex condition. It will integrate advanced diagnostics, personalized treatment options, and ongoing support services to streamline and enhance the ILD journey from pre-diagnosis to management.

The partnership between Asian Hospital and Boehringer Ingelheim aims to improve ILD management with patient support programs and ongoing medical education. The program will support this initiative by connecting patients with a broad network of doctors, healthcare professionals and facilities.

Dr. Giovanni Nazario, medical advisor, Specialty Care, Boehringer Ingelheim (Philippines), Inc., highlighted its significance, “By working closely with our esteemed partners from Asian Hospital, we aim to ensure that those affected by this disease have access to the best possible care and support.”

The Asian Institute of Respirology will expand its services, beginning with the ILD Center, to include fellowship training programs in pulmonary rehabilitation and the launch of a TB-DOTS clinic. It will also extend its focus to managing pulmonary masses and pulmonary arterial hypertension.

A multidisciplinary approach is crucial for effectively diagnosing and treating rare diseases like ILD, given its complexity and diverse causes. The interstitial lung disease encompasses a group of disorders characterized by inflammation and scarring of the lung’s parenchyma, the functional tissue responsible for gas exchange. This leads to symptoms such as shortness of breath and cough and may progress to pulmonary fibrosis. Estimates indicate that between 0.6 and 7.6 people have ILD, with a minority developing pulmonary fibrosis.

Dr. Ethel Añonuevo, associate director of the Asian Institute of Respirology and head of the ILD Center, noted, “In the Philippines, we don’t have any data yet. Having a lot of ILD clinics and centers will be a way for us to gather information on what really is the prevalence of ILD and ILA in the Philippines.”

The launch of ILD Center marks a significant advancement in the management of interstitial lung disease. Asian Hospital is dedicated to advancing research, providing world-class healthcare, and enhancing the quality of life for ILD patients in the Philippines.