Boehringer Ingelheim has premiered a short film in Dubai to raise awareness of Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis (IPF) and Progressive Pulmonary Fibrosis (PPF), two progressive lung conditions that cause scarring and an irreversible decline in lung function.
The premiere brought together healthcare professionals, including Dr. Bassam Mahboub, Vice-President of the Emirates Thoracic Society, and Dr. Shamma Al Nokhatha, President of the Emirates Society for Rheumatology, to highlight the importance of recognising symptoms and seeking medical advice early.
IPF develops without a known cause, while PPF can occur alongside other conditions, including rheumatoid arthritis. Common symptoms include persistent dry cough, breathlessness and fatigue, which may be mistaken for ageing or reduced fitness. As the conditions progress, everyday activities can become increasingly difficult.
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Ousama Alhaj, General Manager and Head of Human Pharma at Boehringer Ingelheim, Near East and UAE, said: “We have been working in respiratory health for generations, and we know that scientific progress must go hand in hand with greater disease awareness and timely diagnosis. Recent developments in pulmonary fibrosis care in the UAE represent important progress for patients and healthcare professionals working to improve disease management. We want to build on this momentum by helping more people recognize the signs of IPF and PPF and seek medical advice earlier, while continuing to advance science and access to innovative healthcare solutions.”
Dr. Shamma Al Nokhatha, President of the Emirates Society for Rheumatology (ESR), said: “The next chapter in pulmonary fibrosis care should be defined not only by scientific progress, but by how effectively we translate that progress into earlier recognition and better patient journeys. That means strengthening awareness across patients, families and healthcare professionals, and making sure people with persistent symptoms are connected to the right care at the right time. This is where innovation can have its greatest impact for patients.”
Dr. Bassam Mahboub, Vice-President of the Emirates Thoracic Society (ETS), said: “Pulmonary fibrosis care is at an important point of transition. We are moving towards a future where recognizing the disease earlier, strengthening multidisciplinary assessment and acting sooner can become a more consistent part of the patient journey. The challenge now is to make sure that a symptom as easily dismissed as breathlessness becomes a prompt to investigate, rather than a reason to wait. The more we recognize these changes earlier, the better positioned we are to move patients towards the right assessment and appropriate care.”
Although considered rare, IPF and PPF together are estimated to affect up to 9.2 million people worldwide. Diagnosis can be delayed by one to two years, underscoring the need for greater awareness among patients and healthcare professionals.
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The campaign comes amid developments in pulmonary fibrosis care in the UAE, including the recent approval of a new treatment option for IPF and PPF. Healthcare experts emphasised that improving awareness, encouraging timely assessment and strengthening multidisciplinary care are important steps towards better patient outcomes.
