Residents of Cebu commemorate National Pulmonary Rehabilitation Day
On June 18, 2025, Cebu Doctors' University Hospital (CDUH) marked its second annual National Pulmonary Rehabilitation Day. This significant event, held annually on the third Wednesday of June, aims to raise awareness about the importance and benefits of pulmonary rehabilitation for patients with chronic respiratory illnesses.
Dr. Jamaica Ross David-Catequista, who opened the event, highlighted the shift towards targeting healthcare providers more, emphasizing the importance of health education in preventing respiratory illnesses. The focus of this year's event was increasing awareness and education about pulmonary rehabilitation among healthcare providers, including medical students, interns, nurses, and respiratory therapists.
Pulmonary rehabilitation is a program designed to significantly improve the quality of life for individuals with chronic lung conditions. It enhances lung function, reduces symptoms like breathlessness, and increases exercise capacity. Dr. Edd Tan gave educational talks during the event, providing insights into the life-changing benefits of pulmonary rehabilitation.
Respiratory therapist Jomer Villamor led practical exercise demonstrations, showcasing the hands-on aspects of the rehabilitation process. The program aims to help patients with chronic respiratory diseases regain their independence by improving their ability to perform basic activities.
Dr. David-Catequista stated that many patients aren't aware of the risks of smoking until they show symptoms, underscoring the need for education, particularly at the community level. She believes that more knowledge leads to more proactive actions for health.
Collaborations with other hospitals are being explored, possibly under the Philippine College of Chest Physicians Central Visayas chapter, to expand the reach of these initiatives. Dr. May Joy Amancio expressed hopes for reaching more patients with future events, aiming to improve health outcomes and greater patient empowerment in managing their diseases.
The event was held at the Medical Arts Building 2 lobby in Cebu, offering a central location for the community to access valuable information about pulmonary rehabilitation. Dr. David-Catequista advised the general public to act early if experiencing shortness of breath or respiratory condition signs, stressing the importance of seeking help and taking action to maintain respiratory health.
By marking National Pulmonary Rehabilitation Day, CDUH not only promotes respiratory health but also encourages more patients with chronic respiratory illnesses to seek and benefit from pulmonary rehabilitation services. This proactive approach to healthcare can lead to improved health outcomes and greater patient empowerment in managing their diseases.
- Dr. Jamaica Ross David-Catequista, during the second annual National Pulmonary Rehabilitation Day at Cebu Doctors' University Hospital (CDUH), stressed the importance of health education to prevent respiratory illnesses, particularly focusing on medical students, interns, nurses, and respiratory therapists.
- A key component of the annual event is increasing awareness and education about pulmonary rehabilitation among healthcare providers, as highlighted by Dr. David-Catequista, with the aim of improving patients' quality of life, especially those with chronic respiratory illnesses.
- The event, held at the Medical Arts Building 2 lobby in Cebu, also served as a platform to educate the general public about the life-changing benefits of pulmonary rehabilitation, ensuring they understand the importance of seeking help for potential respiratory health issues.
- Jomer Villamor, a respiratory therapist, led practical exercise demonstrations at the event, showcasing hands-on aspects of pulmonary rehabilitation that help patients regain their independence by improving their ability to perform basic activities.
- With a focus on expanding the reach of these initiatives, CDUH is exploring collaborations with other hospitals to improve health outcomes, particularly for patients with chronic respiratory illnesses, and empower them to better manage their diseases through greater access to pulmonary rehabilitation services.
