Spotlight with Dr Rukarwa(Part 3)
How do you envision the future of autoimmune disease management evolving in the next decade?
A lot of research goes into the development and improvement of therapies used in the management of these autoimmune conditions and many advances have been made resulting in improved outcomes for patients with these diseases. There is now a push towards being able to predict on and individual level he likely hood of a person responding to a specific drug versus using a blanket trial of drugs and then checking for response, concept called precision medicine. Also certain treatment modalities aimed at rebooting ones immune system are being tried to see if they can lead to better outcomes such as stem cell transplant. Furthermore there is a push for the possibility of developing drugs that can provide a “cure “for some of these disease, which is an exciting prospect. The training and availability of specialists experienced and competent to manage this vast array of complex conditions is defiantly taking place as there is now a greater number of these doctors available locally in the country.
What additional support or resources do you believe are needed to improve outcomes for patients with autoimmune diseases?
Additional support and resources for patients living with autoimmune disease include ongoing education about their conditions using tools such as pamphlets and online resources. The establishment of support groups, with peers also suffering from these disease, to share experiences and challenges and help reduce the common isolation that many patients suffer from of feeling that they are all alone is also important. Having flexible work polices can also help employed patients to maintain their jobs. A broader awareness of these autoimmune disease across all groups, from policymakers and employers, to health professionals and community groups will help accelerate diagnosis and improve care. The availability of drugs is crucial for these patients as the cost of drugs can be an enormous burden. A multidisciplinary approach in the management of patients with autoimmune disease by doctors, nurses and allied health care workers, such as psychologists, physiotherapist, speech and occupational therapist just to name a few is also essential.
Is there anything else you would like to add regarding autoimmune diseases and raising awareness about them? I think for me the take home message is that autoimmune diseases are not rare and if one is aware of them then they can be diagnosed much faster. So early diagnosis, referral and treatment are essential to reduce the morbidity and mortality associated with these chronic and at times debilitating and life threatening disease. On doing awareness is an essential step in achieving this.
Where can you be reached?
Our practice is called Rheumamed and is based at MRI Botswana in Block 7. We are available on Facebook, LinkedIn and Instagram for more details.