Arthritis- Uganda has one specialist
UGANDA has only one specialist for rheumatic arthritis infections, Dr. Mark Kaddumukasa, 35. He also teaches and trains at Makerere University Faculty of Medicine. <br>
By Jeff Lule
UGANDA has only one specialist for rheumatic arthritis infections, Dr. Mark Kaddumukasa, 35. He also teaches and trains at Makerere University Faculty of Medicine.
“We have only one clinic at Mulago. Due to the limited space that is also shared by the other departments, the clinic opens only on Fridays,†he says.
Kaddumukasa has been in charge of the clinic since 2006. Due to the increasing number of arthritis patients, the Uganda Rheumatic Arthritis Association was started to create awareness about the disease,†he says.
The association also disseminates information and research about the disease as well as other related infections.
Mulago together with Makerere University have embarked on training postgraduate students in basic knowledge on rheumatology so that they can support the clinic.
What is rheumatic arthritis?
It is a unique illness that presents with fever and pain in the muscles and joints, usually resulting in disfiguring or deformities of the limbs.
Kaddumukasa says when it is severe, rheumatic arthritis can deform every joint in the body, muscles, skin and other organs like the heart, liver and kidney.
Kaddumukasa says out of Uganda’s population of about 30 million, 300,000 are affected by the disease. He says the condition affects women more than men and normally begins at about 13 years, although it can also affect children.
Kaddumukasa says the disease is hard to diagnose. “It is often confused with sickle cell, especially when it starts during childhood,†he explains.
Causes
Rheumatology is caused by diseases which lead to arthritis. Infections include rheumatoid arthritis, osteoarthritis, osteoporosis, HIV, gout and systemic lupus.
He says most of them are immunological diseases which come about when the body fails to recognise itself, leading to the swelling of the joints.
Treatment
Kaddumukasa says there is no cure, but the disease is managed by pain killers and medication to prevent inflammation and strengthen the joints to prevent damage of the bones and cartilage.
“This is important because the longer the disease exists, the greater the joints become damaged,†he says.
Patints are given painkillers and steroids, although these are not enough to manage the disease. Worse still, the drugs are not available at many district hospitals.
“The Government should subsidise the drugs and train more specialists. The cheapest drug costs sh400,000 for a month’s dose,†Kaddumukasa says.
He says patients are also engaged to participate in physical exercises and sports to reduce pain, and relax the muscles and joints.
Heat or a warm bath can also offer short-term, temporary relief of pain.
“Soak a piece of cloth in warm water and wrap it around the effected joints to relieve pain and stiffness. Do not exceed 20 minutes,†he explains.
If not treated, the disease can result in deformed joints or a disfigured body.
UGANDA has only one specialist for rheumatic arthritis infections, Dr. Mark Kaddumukasa, 35. He also teaches and trains at Makerere University Faculty of Medicine.
“We have only one clinic at Mulago. Due to the limited space that is also shared by the other departments, the clinic opens only on Fridays,†he says.
Kaddumukasa has been in charge of the clinic since 2006. Due to the increasing number of arthritis patients, the Uganda Rheumatic Arthritis Association was started to create awareness about the disease,†he says.
The association also disseminates information and research about the disease as well as other related infections.
Mulago together with Makerere University have embarked on training postgraduate students in basic knowledge on rheumatology so that they can support the clinic.
What is rheumatic arthritis?
It is a unique illness that presents with fever and pain in the muscles and joints, usually resulting in disfiguring or deformities of the limbs.
Kaddumukasa says when it is severe, rheumatic arthritis can deform every joint in the body, muscles, skin and other organs like the heart, liver and kidney.
Kaddumukasa says out of Uganda’s population of about 30 million, 300,000 are affected by the disease. He says the condition affects women more than men and normally begins at about 13 years, although it can also affect children.
Kaddumukasa says the disease is hard to diagnose. “It is often confused with sickle cell, especially when it starts during childhood,†he explains.
Causes
Rheumatology is caused by diseases which lead to arthritis. Infections include rheumatoid arthritis, osteoarthritis, osteoporosis, HIV, gout and systemic lupus.
He says most of them are immunological diseases which come about when the body fails to recognise itself, leading to the swelling of the joints.
Treatment
Kaddumukasa says there is no cure, but the disease is managed by pain killers and medication to prevent inflammation and strengthen the joints to prevent damage of the bones and cartilage.
“This is important because the longer the disease exists, the greater the joints become damaged,†he says.
Patints are given painkillers and steroids, although these are not enough to manage the disease. Worse still, the drugs are not available at many district hospitals.
“The Government should subsidise the drugs and train more specialists. The cheapest drug costs sh400,000 for a month’s dose,†Kaddumukasa says.
He says patients are also engaged to participate in physical exercises and sports to reduce pain, and relax the muscles and joints.
Heat or a warm bath can also offer short-term, temporary relief of pain.
“Soak a piece of cloth in warm water and wrap it around the effected joints to relieve pain and stiffness. Do not exceed 20 minutes,†he explains.
If not treated, the disease can result in deformed joints or a disfigured body.