Rheumatologists are medical doctors who specialise in diagnosing and treating diseases that affect the joints, muscles and bones.
They work closely with other healthcare professionals, including doctors, physical therapists and orthopaedic surgeons, to provide comprehensive care for patients with rheumatic diseases.
Health experts say a person needs to see a rheumatologist when one experiences persistent joint pain or swelling, morning stiffness or limited mobility, a family history of autoimmune or rheumatic diseases and or when symptoms worsen over time or do not respond to treatment.
During the recent commemoration of World Arthritis Day, it became evident that Ghana is facing a serious shortage of rheumatologists, with only three specialists serving a nation of 30 million people (See Daily Graphic, Tuesday, October 14, 2025, page 38).
This scarcity has led to delayed diagnoses, inadequate care, and unnecessary suffering for countless individuals afflicted with rheumatic diseases.
Rheumatic diseases, such as arthritis, lupus and gout, are a significant cause of pain, disability, and lost productivity in the country.
According to estimates, the economic impact of these diseases is substantial, accounting for around 5.75 per cent of the country’s GDP.
Women between the ages of 30 and 50 are disproportionately affected, bearing the brunt of these conditions.
To address this crisis, the Daily Graphic urges the government to focus on rheumatology as a national health priority within the non-communicable disease (NCD) framework.
This would involve investing in specialist training, diagnostics and affordable medicines.
Early detection and referral systems must also be integrated into primary health care to prevent long-term disability.
The launch of the RheumaConnect app is a step in the right direction.
This innovative digital health tool has the potential to transform rheumatology care in Ghana by providing patients with access to specialists, educational materials, tracking symptoms, receiving medication and peer support groups.
Other steps that the government could take to address the shortage of rheumatologists in the country include increased investment in infrastructure and human resources in rheumatology, training more rheumatologists to meet the growing demand for care, and promoting awareness and education about rheumatic diseases to reduce stigma and help with early detection.
Obviously, more rheumatologists need to be trained, and we also support the call by the Executive Director of Oyemam Autoimmune Foundation, Mrs Emma Wilhelmina Halm Danso, for the government to sponsor medical students to specialise in rheumatology to bridge the gap in specialised care.
Additionally, as suggested by the Provost, College of Health Sciences, University of Ghana, Legon, Prof. Alfred F. Yawson, at a forum to commemorate World Arthritis Day in Accra, there has to be a "national call to action" to expend more effort in training such specialised doctors and highlighting the effects of the conditions on the livelihoods of people.
Capacity-building is also necessary, and initiatives, such as the pilot workshop to strengthen capacity in rheumatology care in the country have shown promise with a 15.83 per cent increase in clinical knowledge among participants. Such programmes could be scaled up to train more medical professionals.
There have also been calls for diaspora engagement, where rheumatologists living outside Ghana could be encouraged to consider returning home to help boost the country’s healthcare system.
It is time for the country to take action on rheumatology care to improve the lives of people affected by rheumatic diseases.
