Media OutReach
Revolutionary Treatment Introduced in Hong Kong to Combat 2.4-Year Diagnosis Delay and Emotional Struggles in Vitiligo Patients
Vitiligo affects approximately 1% of the population in Hong Kong, translating to an estimated 70,000 patients. Research finds that patients receive a diagnosis after an average of 2.4 year. This prolonged diagnostic process often leads to disappointment and abandonment of treatment, resulting in significant emotional challenges; vitiligo patients are five times more likely to suffer from depression compared to the general population.
Dr Johnny Chan Chun-yin, a Specialist in Dermatology and Venereology, and Dr Rico Li Ching-kwok, a Specialist in Psychiatry, emphasize the availability of various treatment options for vitiligo. This year, a groundbreaking new medication has been introduced in Hong Kong to help patients effectively manage their condition. They encourage patients to seek medical advice early to mitigate the physical and mental burdens associated with vitiligo.
Multi-Faceted Challenges Faced by Vitiligo Patients
Vitiligo is an autoimmune disease in which the immune system erroneously attacks melanocytes, resulting in white patches on the skin. Multiple international studies reveal that vitiligo patients frequently encounter the following challenges:
1. Delayed Treatment Resulting from Diagnostic Challenges
International studies have found that, on average, it takes 2.4 years to receive a diagnosis, which consequently delays treatment.
2. Perception of Untreatability
Research indicates that 57% of vitiligo patients have been informed that their condition is untreatable. As a result, 44.6% of patients choose to abandon their search for effective treatment.
3. Disappointment with Current Treatments
Studies have shown that half of vitiligo patients are dissatisfied with their current treatment options, with 49% reporting that their treatments have been ineffective. Furthermore, 94% of patients express a pressing need for new and improved treatment methods.
4. High Rates of Depression
- Research indicates that over half (58.7%) of vitiligo patients experience mental health issues of different degrees, including anxiety (28.8%) and depression (24.5%).
- The likelihood of depression among vitiligo patients is five times higher than that of the general population.
The Emotional Toll of Misunderstood Conditions: Anxiety and Depression in Patients
Vitiligo not only affects appearance but also leads to significant emotional distress, which is one of the most common comorbidities among patients. Psychiatrist Dr Rico Li notes, “In recent years, I have encountered many patients experiencing emotional distress due to vitiligo. As the onset typically occurs between the ages of 10 and 30, the impact on young patients, especially females, can be profound. They are at an age where they are particularly concerned about their appearance, and often the condition appears suddenly. Diagnostic challenges and the lack of effective treatments in the past can lead to anxiety and depression.”
Dr Rico Li further explains that many patients have historically been informed that vitiligo is untreatable. Family and friends may perceive the condition as harmless, believing there is no cause for concern. “In reality, those around them may not understand the psychological pressure patients endure, which contributes to a higher likelihood of anxiety and depression among vitiligo patients and may even lead to suicidal thoughts.” He emphasizes that stress can trigger or worsen vitiligo symptoms, and if these issues are not addressed, patients may fall into a vicious cycle of worsening skin and emotional problems.
New Treatment Option Receives International Recognition
Dr Johnny Chan stated, “Vitiligo is often confused with tinea versicolor or pityriasis alba. However, doctors can accurately diagnose vitiligo through a thorough assessment of the patient’s medical history, careful evaluation of the skin, skin biopsy, blood tests, and Wood’s lamp examination.” He noted that many patients mistakenly believe that vitiligo is uncontrollable or have tried various treatment methods without significant results, which leads them to abandon treatment prematurely.
While vitiligo cannot be completely cured, there are numerous treatment options available to help improve the condition. Historically, treatments have included ultraviolet light therapy, topical corticosteroids, and oral steroids. Recently, targeted therapies such as non-steroidal topical JAK inhibitors have emerged. Dr Johnny Chan explains, “Topical JAK inhibitor Ruxolitinib cream works by blocking the immune system’s erroneous attack on melanocytes, allowing them to reactivate and gradually restore normal skin color in affected areas.”
Ruxolitinib cream is the first FDA-approved prescription topical treatment for adult and pediatric patients aged 12 and older with non-segmental vitiligo. It was officially introduced in Hong Kong this year. International studies have confirmed that topical JAK inhibitors show promising treatment performance, with approximately 30% of patients experiencing over a 75% improvement in the facial depigmentation index (F-VASI) after 24 weeks of treatment, and more than half achieving at least a 50% improvement. If treatment continues for 52 weeks, about half of the patients may see improvements of over 75%.
Conclusion and Recommendations
Vitiligo can significantly impact both the physical and mental health of patients. In light of this, Dr Johnny Chan and Dr Rico Li offer the following recommendations:
1. Timely Diagnosis
Vitiligo can easily be confused with other dermatological conditions. Patients should consult a doctor as soon as they notice unusual white patches to minimize the risk of treatment delays.
2. Public Education and Awareness
Public understanding of vitiligo is limited, making it difficult for people to appreciate the emotional impact on patients. Strengthening public education is crucial to help the community, as well as the friends and family of patients, better understand and empathize with their experiences. Support from loved ones can alleviate the worsening of skin conditions caused by emotional distress. Friends and family should encourage patients exhibiting symptoms of anxiety or depression to seek help from a psychiatrist.
3. New Treatment Brings Hope to Patients
Many patients have mistakenly believed that vitiligo is untreatable. However, recent medical advances have led to breakthroughs in treatment options, such as the use of topical JAK inhibitor Ruxolitinib cream, which is a new, internationally clinically proven treatment option with favorable therapeutic outcomes.Hashtag: #Vitiligo #AutoimmuneDisease #TopicalJAKInhibitorCream #Ruxolitinib #DrJohnnyChanChuyin #DrRicoLiChingkwok #Anxiety #Depression
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GoTyme Bank becomes the first digital bank in the Philippines to enable Apple Pay, expanding secure and seamless digital payments for 10 million customers
MANILA, PHILIPPINES – Media OutReach Newswire – 18 August 2026 – Paymentology, the leading global issuer processor, today announced the successful launch of Apple Pay for GoTyme Bank in the Philippines. Through this launch, GoTyme becomes one of the first issuers in the Philippine market to enable Apple Pay, giving 10 million customers an easy, secure and private way to pay using their Apple devices.
As one of the country’s fastest-growing digital banks, GoTyme continues to accelerate its digital payments strategy by expanding secure, seamless and convenient payment experiences for Filipino consumers. Customers can now securely add their GoTyme debit card to Apple Wallet and make contactless payments in stores, within apps and online wherever Apple Pay is accepted.
Apple Pay uses industry-leading tokenisation technology, meaning card numbers are never stored on devices or shared with merchants. Instead, a unique Device Account Number is assigned, with every transaction authenticated through Face ID, Touch ID or a device passcode, providing an additional layer of security while delivering a fast, frictionless checkout experience.
Nate Clark, President and CEO at GoTyme Bank commented: “At GoTyme Bank, we’re constantly looking for ways to make banking simpler, safer and more rewarding for our customers. Bringing Apple Pay to GoTyme Bank customers in the Philippines gives them an easy and secure way to pay wherever they shop while continuing to earn rewards points on all their transactions. This is another step in our commitment to making everyday banking more beautiful and convenient for our customers.
The launch comes as digital payments continue to reshape the Philippine economy. According to the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP), digital payments now account for more than half of all retail payment transactions, as consumers increasingly embrace mobile-first banking and contactless payments. Meanwhile, smartphone penetration continues to rise, supporting growing demand for digital wallets and tokenised payment experiences. As digital commerce accelerates, enabling secure mobile payments through services such as Apple Pay is becoming an increasingly important differentiator for financial institutions.
Minh-Ha Truong, Head of Growth, APAC at Paymentology, added: “As a long-standing partner to GoTyme, we’re proud to support another significant milestone in its growth journey. Bringing Apple Pay to market demonstrates how modern, cloud-native issuer processing enables digital banks to rapidly deliver innovative payment experiences while maintaining the highest standards of security, scalability and performance. Together, we’re helping shape the future of digital payments in the Philippines.”
The launch further strengthens GoTyme’s position as one of Southeast Asia’s leading digital banks and highlights the value of Paymentology’s cloud-native issuer processing platform in helping banks and fintechs rapidly introduce innovative payment capabilities that meet evolving customer expectations.
Hashtag: #Paymentology
https://www.paymentology.com/
https://www.linkedin.com/company/paymentology/
https://x.com/Paymentology
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Media OutReach
New Documentary Under the Hakka Liugdui Sun From Discovery to Debut on August 20 in Southeast Asia
Set against the sun-drenched landscapes of southern Taiwan, Under the Hakka Liugdui Sun highlights how the people of Liugdui have thrived alongside the land for over 300 years. Following local scholars, farmers, and artisans, the documentary explores how this community adapts its deep-rooted traditions—from water stewardship to food heritage—in response to environmental and economic change, offering vital modern insights on sustainability, rural revitalization, and cultural continuity.
Across three episodes—Water, agriculture, and food—the documentary explores how the people of Liugdui blend tradition with modern innovation. Viewers meet groundwater experts, farmers pioneering sustainable crops, and artisans repurposing local materials like betel nut, alongside culinary practitioners who preserve Hakka identity through ancestral rituals, communal feasts, and family traditions that unite generations.
Audiences will discover a community that views tradition not as something fixed in the past, but as a living legacy that continues to evolve. From innovative groundwater management and botanical dyeing to ritual feasts and modern interpretations of Hakka cuisine – the documentary celebrates the creativity, resilience, and values that have sustained Liugdui for centuries.
Under the Hakka Liugdui Sun premieres in Southeast Asia on Discovery Channel, Thursday, August 20 at 7:10pm; TLC Channel, Monday, August 24 at 7:10pm; and Discovery Asia, Tuesday, August 25 at 9:25pm.
Hashtag: #Discovery
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About Discovery Channel
The launch press conference broke away from tradition with a vibrant runway show featuring celebrity “Hot Spring Travel Navigators,” including acclaimed chef Edward Lee from Netflix’s Culinary Class Wars, visual identity creative director Yen Po-Chun, TSUTAYA BOOKSTORE Taiwan Chairman Kazuma Otsuka, and actor-host Andrew Chau. Together with local businesses, they showcased regional agriculture, specialties, and lifestyle products.
The official launch celebration kicks off on September 4 at Guguan Park in Taichung, featuring a themed parade with over 500 participants and the lighting ceremony for the Lishan–Guguan Light Art Festival, which stars a massive eight-meter “OhBear” light installation. The festivities continue on September 5 with a guided tribal trekking tour in Guguan, offering participants an exclusive NT$500 accommodation discount.
To promote four-season wellness tourism globally, the campaign partners with the East Asia Hot Spring Association for an international symposium on September 4. Key promotions also include complimentary LINE POINTS for new followers, curated packages starting at NT$299, and a flash sale of 800 limited NT$1 Hot Spring Vouchers for the Double 11 Shopping Festival. Furthermore, cross-sector collaborations offer half-price entry to national forest areas, limited-edition Taiwan Railway bento boxes, and Guanziling mud spring skincare products to enrich the travel experience.Hashtag: #TaiwanFourSeasonSprings
https://www.trimt-nsa.gov.tw/zh-tw/
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