DAVAO CITY, PHILIPPINES — For patients living with Generalized Pustular Psoriasis (GPP), the fight to stay alive has too often meant waiting too long, traveling too far, and suffering in silence. But that changes today.
On July 30, Psoriasis Philippines (PsorPhil) and the Southern Philippines Medical Center (SPMC) launched Mindanao’s second GPP Care Network. This formal partnership, sealed through a Memorandum of Understanding, brings focused care, expert training, and patient support to a region that has lacked access to specialized treatment for too long.
“This partnership is a lifeline,” said Josef De Guzman, PsorPhil Founder. “It means faster diagnoses, expert local care, and hope for patients who once felt invisible.”
Facing a Rare, Often Misunderstood Disease
GPP is a rare, severe form of psoriasis marked by sudden flares of painful pustules, high fever, and systemic inflammation. Without proper care, a flare can quickly become life-threatening. In many parts of the Philippines, patients are misdiagnosed or delayed for treatment because few clinicians recognize the signs.
“This condition requires urgent hospitalization and coordinated care,” said Dr. Victoria Guillano, Head of SPMC’s Psoriasis Core Team. “We’re not just treating pustules, we’re restoring dignity.”
What the GPP Care Network Offers
- The new care network at SPMC is designed to close the gap between patients and lifesaving care. It includes:
- Specialized clinics for GPP within SPMC’s Dermatology Department
- Ongoing training for dermatologists and frontliners across Mindanao
- Telemedicine and patient support services for those unable to travel
- Public education to fight stigma and raise awareness
- Research and data collection to improve national care strategies
The launch was attended by SPMC leadership, dermatology residents, nurses, and patient advocates. The presence of Edison Domactol, President of SPMC’s Psoriasis Club, reflected the impact this initiative will have on those living with chronic skin conditions in Mindanao.
Commitment from Leaders
“This MOU is part of our commitment to make SPMC a center of excellence for rare diseases,” said Dr. Ricardo B. Audan, SPMC Medical Center Chief. “No one should be denied care because of where they live.”
“Today, we tell GPP patients: You are seen. Your pain matters. Your community stands with you,” added PsorPhil President Paul Albert Mendoza.
Part of a Growing National Network
The Davao network marks PsorPhil’s eighth GPP hub, following partnerships in Metro Manila, Pangasinan, La Union, and Valenzuela. It represents a strategic move to reach underserved patients in the southern Philippines and strengthens PsorPhil’s goal of building a nationwide support system for chronic immune-mediated diseases.
“This is about making sure a flare doesn’t become a crisis,” said Emmylou Casanova, PsorPhil Secretary and global GPP advocate. “Expert help should be minutes away, not miles.”
Contact Information
For referrals, support, or partnership inquiries, reach out to:
Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Website: www.psorphil.org
