Rheumatology practice in a rural Nigerian hospital: challenges, adaptations, and lessons

Rheumatic diseases constitute a significant yet often overlooked health burden in Nigeria, particularly in rural areas where access to specialized care remains severely limited. Despite their high prevalence and profound impact on quality of life, the management of rheumatic diseases faces multiple challenges, including inadequate diagnostic capacity, high treatment costs, limited availability of specialists, and sociocultural barriers. Irrua Specialist Teaching Hospital (ISTH), a rural tertiary healthcare facility in Edo State, South-South Nigeria, provides a unique perspective on rheumatology practice in a resource-limited setting. This perspective article explores the multifaceted challenges of delivering rheumatologic care at ISTH, such as late disease presentation, diagnostic limitations, lack of access to biologic therapies, cultural misconceptions, and workforce shortages. It also highlights adaptive and innovative strategies implemented to mitigate these issues, including community engagement, capacity building, task shifting, and the use of telemedicine. Furthermore, the article examines broader systemic gaps affecting rheumatology practice in Nigeria and proposes recommendations for strengthening healthcare infrastructure, expanding research initiatives, and enhancing advocacy efforts. Since the establishment of the Rheumatology Unit in 2016, over 1,650 patients have been managed, with osteoarthritis (51.9%), systemic lupus erythematosus (9.9%), and rheumatoid arthritis (8.1%) being the most frequent diagnoses. These data reflect both the magnitude and diversity of the rheumatic disease burden encountered in rural Nigeria. Addressing these gaps requires a multifaceted approach involving increased investment in specialist training, improved healthcare infrastructure, expanded access to affordable diagnostics and therapies, and sustained public health awareness campaigns.