Global Concern: Rare Diseases Affecting 300 Million People

Approximately 300 million people worldwide suffer from some form of rare disease, making it a significant global health challenge.

Between 6,000 and 10,000 rare diseases have been identified so far, with around 72% caused by genetic factors.

The World health Assembly (WHA) passed a historic resolution in May 2025, declaring rare diseases a global health priority.

The WHA resolution aims to:

Ensure timely and accurate diagnosis

Increase access to treatment facilities

Encourage research and development

Strengthen specialized healthcare services

Rare diseases pose medical, social, and economic challenges, affecting patients, families, and healthcare systems alike.

About 5,500 rare diseases are included in the ICD-11, the international classification system issued by the World health Organization (WHO).

Inclusion in ICD-11 facilitates:

Standardized disease classification

Easier documentation and treatment planning

Improved international data collection

Enhanced research collaboration

Better health policy formulation

Accurate and timely classification expedites diagnosis, allowing patients earlier access to appropriate treatment.

A major challenge is delays in identification and diagnosis due to:

Shortage of specialized doctors

Limited diagnostic facilities

Restricted availability of genetic testing

Treatments for rare diseases are often expensive, placing severe financial and psychological strain on affected families.

Globally, patients data-face physical, mental, and economic hardships, posing serious challenges to healthcare systems.

In india, rare diseases affect a very small portion of the population, but require specialized testing, advanced labs, and expert physicians.

Patients often wait a long time for accurate diagnosis, worsening health outcomes andincreasing treatment costs.

Government and health institutions in india are working on:

Raising awareness about rare diseases

Implementing policy reforms

Improving access to diagnosis and treatment facilities

With coordinated efforts, timely diagnosis and access to treatment can reduce suffering, improve patient outcomes, and alleviate the global burden of rare diseases.

Addressing rare diseases is now recognized as a priority for public health, research, and policy interventions worldwide.

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