In a resounding tribute to National Lung Month this August, influential figures in the Philippine healthcare landscape have united to amplify public knowledge about an array of lung-related illnesses. The event, titled “Lungs Matter: Raising Awareness for Respiratory Wellness,” was orchestrated by a collaborative effort involving the Philippine Alliance of Patient Organizations (PAPO), Psoriasis Philippines, Philippine Society for Orphan Disorders, Scleroderma Awareness Philippines, and Philippine College of Chest Physicians (PCCP). These initiatives garnered steadfast support from the pharmaceutical powerhouse, Boehringer Ingelheim (Philippines), Inc.
The distinguished setting of The Bayleaf Hotel in Intramuros, Manila served as the backdrop for the groundbreaking event. Esteemed healthcare experts congregated at this venue to impart valuable insights into both prevalent and less-discussed respiratory conditions, while also delving into the rudiments of lung care.
“This National Lung Month is a good opportunity for us to focus the public’s attention on respiratory wellness, spread more awareness on the different kinds of lung disease, and call on a collective movement to support healthier air,” according to Dr. Mae Campomanes, Chair for the Council on Occupational and Interstitial Lung Diseases, PCCP.
The grandeur of the “Lungs Matter: Raising Awareness for Respiratory Wellness” event encompassed an assortment of enlightening forum discussions, hands-on activities, and invigorating wellness routines. Participants were immersed in riveting dialogues exploring a range of topics. They also engaged in interactive pocket activities and partook in rejuvenating wellness exercises such as Breathwork Practices, aimed at harnessing the power of controlled breathing, and Shibashi, a meticulously crafted 18-posture exercise regimen synchronizing movement with breath and concentration. Culminating the event was a tranquil meditative sojourn through the storied Arroceros Forest Park.
Arroceros Forest Park heralded as “Manila’s last lung,” has emerged as a pivotal force in cultivating a cleaner and healthier environment, making substantial strides in bolstering lung health. The serene forest walk undertaken during the event symbolized unity among the partners, spotlighting the significance of respiratory well-being. This collective stride was intended to galvanize public attention towards lung health and to motivate participants to personally commit to safeguarding and championing the health of their lungs.
In a poignant statistical revelation, the Department of Health (DOH) reported a staggering 300,000 cases of acute respiratory infection within a span of six months in 2022. Among the prevailing lung afflictions well-known to Filipinos are asthma, an inflammatory airway condition; pneumonia, characterized by the accumulation of fluids within the lung; tuberculosis (TB), a contagious ailment spurred by pathogens; and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), marked by inflamed airways causing restricted airflow. Lesser-known but equally significant lung conditions include interstitial lung disease (ILD), a cluster of disorders culminating in progressive lung tissue scarring.
“There’s a wide range of topics for us to touch on regarding respiratory wellness. We at Boehringer Ingelheim, are committed to supporting our health organizations and medical societies to further increase disease education. We want to help push prevention and early diagnosis at the forefront so we can safeguard the health of many Filipinos,” said Dr. Greta Cortez, Head of Medicine for Boehringer Ingelheim (Philippines), Inc.
The “Lungs Matter: Raising Awareness for Respiratory Wellness” event serves as a clarion call to prioritize patient quality of life by accentuating the paramount importance of prevention and early detection. This edifying discourse, conducted in reverence of National Lung Month, aspires to illuminate the public about susceptibility factors and risks linked to both commonplace and grave respiratory maladies.