St. Luke’s Medical Center has introduced a new specialty service aimed at helping Filipinos with asthma and other chronic lung conditions manage their symptoms more effectively. The hospital’s Global City branch has officially opened the country’s first-ever inhaler clinic, a facility created after studies revealed that 94 percent of patients do not use their inhalers correctly, a gap that often leads to poor health outcomes.
The clinic was launched on Thursday and is positioned to support newly diagnosed patients or those who have recently been prescribed inhalers. At its core, the facility intends to address mistakes in inhaler use, which remain one of the biggest barriers to proper asthma and COPD management.
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A New Approach to Respiratory Care
St. Luke’s said the Inhaler Clinic Service was established to strengthen the way patients receive treatment for asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), and related conditions. Although inhalers are considered the foundation of therapy for these illnesses, the hospital emphasized that incorrect technique can reduce the effectiveness of medication, resulting in more flare-ups, hospital visits, and a reduced quality of life.
With this in mind, the clinic goes beyond simply prescribing devices. It focuses on teaching patients how to use them properly. It also provides coaching on nebulizer use and care.
Hands-On Guidance From Specialists
The clinic is led by a multidisciplinary team composed of pulmonologists and respiratory therapists. Their work centers on four key goals: ensuring correct inhaler technique, monitoring treatment adherence, identifying device-related issues, and empowering patients as well as caregivers through education.
Regular follow-ups allow the team to review how patients are responding to their treatment plans. The clinic also assists individuals who may be struggling with the type of device prescribed to them—particularly elderly patients or those with arthritis, weakness, or coordination concerns—so they can be matched with equipment better suited to their needs.
Improving Outcomes Through Proper Use
By honing in on technique and consistent monitoring, St. Luke’s aims to help patients experience real improvements such as better medication absorption, fewer asthma or COPD attacks, reduced emergency room visits, and overall improved quality of life.
The clinic is open to a wide range of patients, from those newly diagnosed to individuals repeatedly making inhaler mistakes or those confused about how their prescribed devices work. People managing multiple inhalers or complex dosing schedules may also be referred.
A Broader Impact for Filipinos
As the country’s first dedicated inhaler clinic, St. Luke’s introduces a model of care that could encourage better respiratory health nationwide. With millions of Filipinos affected by asthma and other lung conditions, proper device use can ease the burden on families and reduce pressure on the healthcare system, showing how small changes in medical guidance can lead to meaningful, long-term benefits.
