Perspective is everything, and this year Rare Disease Day 2021 is showcasing how living differently now is how many have lived for a long time.
Johannesburg, South Africa (23 February 2021) – The countdown to Rare Disease Day 2021 has officially begun. Taking place on 28 February, the annual event will see Rare Diseases South Africa (RDSA) ‘Redefining Rare’.
In order to create #RareAwareness around the challenges that people living with a rare disease and their families face every day, RDSA has likened the ‘new norm’ to ‘living rare’.
Kelly Du Plessis, CEO and founder of RDSA, explains, “In light of the current global pandemic, ordinary citizens have experienced the reality of those living with rare diseases and other life-threatening diseases. Rare disease patients are immunocompromised citizens, and their movement is usually limited from the time they receive diagnoses. For many, their early childhood marks the beginning of living with a heightened awareness about their surroundings and health.”
She continues, “For rare disease patients, avoiding crowds for long periods, touching surfaces that may expose them to germs, and constantly washing and sanitising their hands is standard.”
Since the outbreak of coronavirus, people have experienced isolation, fear of the unknown, uncertainty about the future and underlying anxiety about contracting the virus. This is commonplace for rare disease patients as they grapple with these concerns on a daily basis.
While the public has adjusted to living under the restrictions imposed by the government during the outbreak and managing health- and care-related tasks alongside work, school and leisure time from home, ‘life in lockdown’ is similar to the experience of those who have lived with a rare disease.
Du Plessis adds, “There has been extraordinary scientific progress and medical advancements in the development of a vaccine for the coronavirus, and it offers a ray of hope for the pandemic’s end. It is a preventative measure for protecting against a Covid-19 infection. This means that life could go back to normal by the end of 2021. But circumstances for those living with rare diseases will remain unchanged.”
There are over 7,000 rare diseases that affect over 300 million people worldwide. In South Africa, there are approximately 4.1 million rare disease patients. For the vast majority of these rare conditions, there is no known cure.
Due to the low prevalence of each disease, medical expertise is rare, knowledge is scarce, treatment and care inadequate, and research limited. Despite their great overall number, rare disease patients are the orphans of health systems, often denied diagnosis, treatment and the benefits of research.
“Healthcare protocols need to adopt an inclusive model that is beneficial for all South Africans impacted by life-threatening rare diseases,” says du Plessis.
At the end of 2020, RDSA achieved agreement between a broad range of stakeholders, including medical aids, regulatory offices, industry partners and pharmaceutical companies, on a National Rare Disease Framework and Strategy for South Africa. This achievement represents several years’ work by the non-profit to raise awareness and increase access to medical care for a range of rare diseases.
With this in mind, RDSA plans to use this framework to redefine what it means to be ‘rare’ as well as advocate for a commitment from industry and government to change rare disease policies and protocols.
Du Plessis concludes, “Just as collaboration has taken place to produce and procure a vaccine, an unprecedented commitment has been shown by our government to keep our citizens safe during this time, and we hope to drive the necessary changes to ensure that all patients with rare diseases receive access to support and life-saving treatment for improved quality of life.”
In addition to supporting #RareAwareness, the public is encouraged to get involved by demonstrating what makes them rare and to ‘Share Your Rare’ on any social media platform.
For more information about Rare Disease Day in South Africa, visit www.rareware.africa or follow RDSA on social media platforms: Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and LinkedIn.
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