Filipino 1st specialty center for psoriasis launched

Rizal Medical Center (RizalMed) launched recently the country’s first specialty center for persons with psoriasis.

“Psoriasis is a chronic, noncommunicable, painful, disfiguring and disabling disease for which there is no cure and with great negative impact on patients’ quality of life. RizalMed’s Psoriasis Center has a multi-disciplinary team of dermatologists, rheumatologists and other medical experts equipped with a broad range of treatment modalities for psoriasis,” Dr. Francisco Rivera IV, chairman of RizalMed’s department of dermatology said.

“The launch of our Psoriasis Center is in line with RizalMed’s long tradition of providing responsive, compassionate and quality healthcare to all patients. Our center is dedicated to helping ease the heavy socio-economic burden of psoriasis and promoting public awareness on this debilitating disease,” said RizalMed chief Dr. Relito Saquilayan.

“Psoriasis puts a heavy physical, psychological and socio-economic burden on the estimated two million Filipinos affected by the disease. Many are denied school and work opportunities while others feel discouraged to pursue their aspirations or hone their talents and skills. RizalMed’s Psoriasis Center, which offers holistic care to persons with psoriasis, will help reduce the disease burden and improve patients’ quality of life,” said Josef De Guzman, president of the patient advocacy group Psoriasis Philippines (PsorPhil).

Up to a third of patients with psoriasis have, or will develop, psoriatic arthritis, a condition in which the joints are also affected, causing debilitating symptoms including pain, stiffness and irreversible joint damage.

Formerly known as Rizal Provincial Hospital, RizalMed is a Department of Healthretained teaching and training hospital with a 300-bed capacity. It is also a DOH-designated regional referral specialty center for dermatology.

Located at the intersection of Pasig Boulevard and C5 road, RizalMed serves the communities in the province of Rizal and the neighboring cities of Pasig, Taguig, and Mandaluyong.

RizalMed is a recipient of PhilHealth’s “Center of Excellence Award” and the DOH “Gold Award for Ospital na Malinis at Mabango.”

Photo shows (from left) Dr. Francisco Rivera, chairman, department of dermatology, RizalMed; Josef De Guzman, president, PsorPhil; Dr. Rogelio Balagat, dermatology-rheumatology, RizalMed; Dr. Lily Lyralin Tumalad, photodermatology, RizalMed; Dr. Mae...