Not in the same vein: new Hong Kong blood therapy spares patients from hospital commute by allowing self-jabs in comfort of own home
- HKU research team pushing for regular availability of subcutaneous immunoglobulin therapy in city
- Treatment allows drugs to be injected into fatty tissue under skin, instead of directly into veins, to treat immunodeficiency disorders
Hong Kong stand-up comedian Vivek Mahbubani, known as “Ah V” to his fans, was distressed to learn he needed to visit the hospital every four weeks to receive immunoglobulin therapy – perhaps for the rest of his life – after a worrying diagnosis three years ago.
The monthly therapy has often disrupted the 40-year-old’s performance schedule since doctors diagnosed him with immunodeficiency disorder in 2020. In pre-Covid times, he travelled at least once every two months for work.
However, a recently introduced therapy has become a game changer for Mahbubani, as he is now able to self-administer immunoglobulin, a mixture of antibodies, on his own every week.
The treatment could be performed in the comfort of his home or a place of his choice, which – on one memorable occasion – was a train.
“The whole process was simple, easy, the equipment was handy, and no one noticed at all.
“My stress is all gone, I no longer treat the illness as a matter of concern, or blame myself for the huge inconvenience,” he said. “It has become a regular habit for me, just like taking vitamins.”
The research team at the University of Hong Kong (HKU) led by Dr Philip Li Hei, began introducing subcutaneous immunoglobulin therapy – which can be self-administered – for use in the city three years ago, to provide a more convenient and cost-effective treatment alternative for immunodeficiency disorders patients at no extra charge.
