Early November 2017 the XXVth Venezuelan Congress of Asthma, Allergy and Immunology was held at La Trinidad Medical Teaching Center in Caracas, Venezuela. The conference gathered the most prestigious professionals of this branch of medicine in Venezuela – and Fundación Angioedema Herditario de Venezuela (AEHVE) participated in the event with very encouraging results for HAE patients. In the block corresponding to the disease, the following topics were presented by a qualified group of Immunologists:

  • Hereditary Angioedema: Multietiological disorder – doctor Ana Antelo
  • From the clinic to the diagnosis in Angioedema Hereditary – Doctor Diana Briceño
  • Current events and Advances in the Treatment of Hereditary Angioedema – Doctor Morella Bouchard, President of the Venezuelan Society of Asthma, Allergy and Immunology
  • Intervention of Fundacion de Angioedema Hereditario – Mary Bocaranda, AEHVE
  • The presentation by Mary Bocaranda began with an affirmation of Doctor Alejandro Malbrán, with the purpose of raising awareness about the HAE to the attending physicians: ”We have the challenge of getting professionals to be more attentive to this disease”. The participants were informed about the most relevant aspects of the foundation and the purpose that they have every day of disseminating more information about the HAE and the progress made worldwide. emphasis was placed on the critical situation in order to obtain medicines for the treatment of this dangerous disease, which are practically nil in Venezuela.

Mrs Bocaranda pointed out that AEHVE is a member of HAEi and that hae day :-) is celebrated worldwide on 16 May every year. Furthermore, she expressed that the objectives in the short term consist of:

  • To capture all HAE patients throughout the Venezuelan territory and not to leave any person submerged in ignorance of this rare disease
  • That these patients have a short-term diagnosis and try to have the availability of treatments through government agencies and that they are available in all cities, towns, etc. in the country

Achievements were immediately seen as a meeting was planned with the President of Social Security of Venezuela through a work team of the High-cost Committee, which is responsible for the supply of high- cost medicines.