By Chisomo Phiri
BLANTYRE-(MaraviPost )-A Rwandan rheumatologist, Dr. Janvier Murayile, has called for cross-border collaboration to improve treatment outcomes for patients suffering from rheumatism, a condition that causes joint inflammation, severe pain, and affects physical, mental, and emotional well-being.
In an interview with Maravi Post, Murayile said the main challenge in treating rheumatism is the severe shortage of rheumatologists in most African countries, where approximately 4.3 million people are affected by the disease.
He said he believes that partnerships, such as Pfizer’s Accord for a Healthier World, can play a vital role in addressing this shortage.
According to 2020 World Health Organization (WHO) data, rheumatoid arthritis accounted for 29 deaths, or 0.03%, in Rwanda.
