India needs more rheumatologists

“It's sad to know that India has only around 500 Rheumatologists right now, whereas we need 15,000 to support our present population. Also only a handful of training centres are available in the country,” said Dr Sarath Chandra Mouli Veeravalli, Chief Rheumatologist at KIMS highlighting the dismal state of Indian healthcare towards rheumatology.

The doctor was speaking at the one-day ‘Rheumatology Live Workshop’ organised by KIMS Hospitals as part of its efforts towards creating awareness on autoimmune disorders on Sunday. Dr B Bhaskar Rao, MD and CEO, KIMS inaugurated the workshop and Prof Kakarla Subba Rao spoke at it.

The workshop had live demonstration of original cases and was broadcasted live in medical colleges across Telangana and Andhra Pradesh. Around 350 doctors attended the course that included physicians, orthopedicians, GPs, dermatologists and postgraduate students. “It’s a myth that treatment is not available for Rheumatological conditions in Allopathy but the fact is we have excellent treatment options and with Allopathy one can lead a normal life,” said Dr Sarath.

Some of the common symptoms of Rheumatology are joint pains, early morning stiffness lasting more than one hour in the joints, joint swellings, chronic low back pain, prolonged fevers, recurrent mouth ulcers, pink rashes on cheeks on exposure to the sun etc. Daily exercise, consumption of food rich in Vitamin C, dry fruits and fish oil capsules will help boost the immune system that plays a vital role in controlling Rheumatological disorders.