FREE MEGA HEALTH CAMP FOR RHEUMATOLOGY DISEASES ORGANIZED BY RHEUMATOLOGY ASSOCIATION HYDERABAD CHAPTER

24^th April, Hyderabad: Rheumatological Diseases are often neglected and assumed to be part of the aging process. They are not considered as diseases which are treatable. To break the myths and shed light on the facts, Rheumatology Association Hyderabad Chapter (RAHC) organized “Free Mega Health Camp” near Chowmahalla Palace on the occasion of Rheumatological Disease Awareness Month. Dr. G. Narsimhulu, the eminent and senior most Rheumatologist in the state, Dr. Sarvajeet Pal, Dr. Vara Prasad, Dr. Nayan Patel, Dr. A N Roy, Dr. Phani and many more Rheumatologists from various hospitals of the twin cities attended the mega camp.

This program was conducted in association with a Charitable organization called Rajasthani Yuva Samaj (RYS). Advocate Damodar Mundra, President of Rajasthani Yuva Samaj, Sampat Toshnival and many other members of RYS supported the organisation of the camp. Reputed Rheumatology Doctors from the association participated in this camp for screening of the people, performed investigations and consultations free of cost. RAHC also distributed free medicines for 10 days course.

The broad classification of Inflammatory Rheumatological Diseases includes Rheumatoid Arthritis, Ankylosing spondylitis, Systemic Lupus Erythematosus, Psoriatic Arthritis and several other diseases which are often vaguely categorized as chronic arthritis. Many rheumatological diseases are also life threatening and affect multiple organs like lungs, heart and kidneys. All together, these diseases affect 2-3% of Indian population. Hence the impact of disease-related disabilities is substantial. These diseases can affect any age group including younger and middle-aged population.

Giving his note on the occasion, Dr. Raj Kiran, President, RAHC, said, “Rheumatological diseases are not new, but the speciality “Rheumatology” is not familiar to many. This leads to underutilisation of the speciality both in public and private hospitals. In addition, the rheumatological diseases are shrouded by lot of myths and misconceptions. The recent advances in the management of these diseases have improved the quality of life for these patients tremendously. This information has not percolated to the general doctors and public. This has caused lots of misery and suffering to the patients with rheumatic diseases. Often they don’t seek help at the appropriate time and suffer from damage due to the delay. With the primary objective to sensitise the general public, on the rheumatology related diseases, role of Rheumatologists as the specialist doctors who care for these diseases and to clear the misconception on rheumatological diseases, we are organising various public activities.”

Dr. Jugal Kishore Kadel, Secretary, RAHC, said, “Medical Speciality of Rheumatology is primarily involved in diagnosing and treating patients with Rheumatological diseases, relieving the pain and other symptoms of the patients and enhancing their life span, quality of life, and productivity and hence reducing the social burden. In India, currently we have limited number of institutions that have both teaching and non-teaching rheumatology departments. Even with modest estimation of 2.5% of population suffering from these dreadful rheumatic diseases, we should have the specialised department, at least 2 or 3 for every district.”

In order to raise the awareness regarding rheumatological diseases, the availability of newer cost-effective treatment for these diseases and also to raise the awareness on policy revision, Indian Rheumatology Association is organizing several educative programmes throughout the month of April 2022 throughout the country

OBJECTIVE OF THE PROGRAMME

• Increasing the awareness that the pain and suffering of the patients of Rheumatological Diseases are treatable
• Rheumatology is the speciality which specialises in diagnosing and treating Rheumatological diseases.
• Achieving Timely diagnosis and optimal treatment is the goal
• To emphasize the need of policy revision to make inflammatory Rheumatological Diseases (including Rheumatoid Arthritis, Ankylosing Spondylitis, Systemic Lupus Erythematosus and Psoriatic Arthritis) insurable and reimbursable, and also to include them under govt. sponsored schemes.