Brazzaville, the sprawling capital of the Republic of the Congo, is home to more than two million people. With almost 250 health centers across the city, people with swelling attacks can present at any one, making it vital that as many healthcare professionals are aware of HAE symptoms and able to act to ensure patients receive the best possible care.

It might seem a simple case of sharing information via video apps and webpages. But, with sometimes patchy internet connections, a dedicated group of researchers, with the support of HAEi, is taking the message directly to healthcare professionals across Brazzaville.

‘Doctors working in hospitals and clinics are on the frontlines of diagnosing and treating patients who present with angioedema. With the support of HAEi, we share essential knowledge to help you recognize and manage swelling conditions, including hereditary angioedema.’

– Patricia Karani, HAEi Regional Patient Advocate for Sub Sahara Africa

This pilot project is designed to address the negative impact of low awareness of HAE. The project is a collaboration between HAEi, Dr Coretta Gangoue from Brazzaville, and her foundation, English for ALL Community Service. Dr Coretta explains: “Because HAE is rare, doctors may never have seen a case before. This often leads to delays in an accurate diagnosis, HAE being misdiagnosed as allergies, and often people undergo unnecessary treatments or surgeries.”

The first step was to produce the educational materials for doctors. During the recent 2025 HAEi Regional Conference EMEA, filming for a series of short videos took place. HAEi developed these with input from Dr Coretta and Dr Priya Bowry, HAE expert and ACARE Center Deputy Head, from Kenya. This foundational education focuses on differentiating HAE from other angioedemas/ swelling conditions.

‘When you see a patient come back with repeated swelling attacks that occur without hives, when their symptoms do not respond to allergy medicines, and you determine a family history of unexplained swelling, you should suspect hereditary angioedema. Referral for further investigation is critical.’

– Dr Priya Bowry, Kenya

The video also equips medics with knowledge of available HAE treatment options, both for treating and preventing attacks, tailored to the situation in Brazzaville, where no specific HAE medications are currently available, and shares details of region-specific resources.

The project is being rolled out across Brazzaville, with every participating doctor being invited to take part in research to collect data on HAE in the city. Ultimately, it is hoped that the project will educate doctors and ultimately empower patients. As HAEi’s Patricia Karani says, “Together, we can improve recognition of HAE and help patients in Brazzaville receive the care they need.”