From Country Representative Krizzia Lavone Alferez:
My family has the distinction of being the first HAE patients to be identified in the Philippines. Dr Jovilia Abong, an Allergy/Immunology doctor who practices in the Manila metropolitan area, made the HAE diagnosis. While serving as the President of the Philippine Society of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology, Dr Abong had a meeting with HAEi President Anthony Castaldo, learned about HAEi, and passed that information along to me. I contacted HAEi and have had meetings with Mr Castaldo and the President of the Philippine Society for Orphan Disorders.
We are working to set up a Philippine HAE organization and building an advocacy plan that establishes a path to gain access to modern HAE medicines. Currently, Danazol 200 mg is the only HAE treatment available, and it is not reimbursed by our health system. I am excited about our HAE mission here in the Philippines and look forward to working closely with HAEi to improve the lives of patients here in the Philippines. I wish good health to all!
