On the occasion of World Arthritis Day, doctors in Kathmandu warned that nearly three million people in Nepal suffer from rheumatism-related problems, with arthritis patients likely to experience worsening pain during the winter. Dr Buddhi Paudel, head of Arogya Swasthya Sadan, said the cold season can make the condition more difficult for those affected, while experts described the number of patients in the country as significant.
Doctors highlight the scale of arthritis in Nepal
The estimate shared by doctors points to a substantial burden of rheumatism-related problems across Nepal. Speaking in Kathmandu for World Arthritis Day, experts drew attention to the number of people affected and the seasonal difficulty faced by patients when temperatures fall.
Dr Paudel said people with arthritis experience increased pain during winter. His warning places seasonal worsening at the centre of the concerns raised by doctors, alongside the scale of the condition nationally. The remarks were reported by Ratopati.
The figure cited by the doctors is nearly three million Nepalis with rheumatism-related problems. Experts said the number of arthritis patients in Nepal is significant, underscoring the importance of recognising the condition as a health concern affecting a large part of the population. The information shared in Kathmandu did not include a further breakdown of the estimate.
Winter brings added pain for patients
Doctors said the cold season can worsen the experience of arthritis patients. Dr Paudel specifically noted that patients face increased pain during winter, making the seasonal impact an important part of the warning delivered on World Arthritis Day.
The comments highlight two connected concerns: the number of people living with rheumatism-related problems and the deterioration patients may experience in colder weather. While the doctors’ remarks focused on these points, they did not provide further details about how many patients are affected by winter-related worsening or how the impact varies among individuals.
The warning serves as a reminder that arthritis-related problems remain significant in Nepal, according to the experts who spoke in Kathmandu. Their comments drew attention both to the estimated number of people affected and to the additional pain patients may face during winter. No further information about specific treatments or prevention measures was included in the remarks reported for World Arthritis Day.
