Activities

SOLIDERM, an initiative by the French Society of Dermatology (SFD), aims to ensure permanent access to dermatological care through sustainable healthcare solutions. Detailed information is available on their dedicated webpage here.

1 -31 January, the Brazilian Society of Dermatology (SBD) held its “Purple January” leprosy awareness campaign to mark World Skin Health Day. The campaign featured educational videos, digital outreach, and family involvement for early detection and promoted free treatment via Brazil’s Unified Health System, enhancing community awareness and early disease identification. In total, they reached 4 million people across Brazil.

The Guinea Clinique Dermatologique, in collaboration with the Universities Mahatma Gandhi and La Source, conducted activities for World Skin Health Day (WSHD) from January 20 to 31, 2024, in Conakry, Guinea. They launched with a press conference, offered free skincare to over 700 people, primarily children, in Kindia, and hosted an international dermatology congress online. Their efforts focused on underserved communities, providing diagnoses, treatments, and education on dermatological health. The impact was significant, with hundreds receiving essential dermatological care and raising awareness of skin health issues.

Elixir Life Science Pvt. Ltd hosted a medical camp designed to disseminate vital health information and services through an online webinar on 2 February 2024. This camp aimed to reach a broad audience, offering essential medical advice and support through interactive sessions. These activities underscore the global commitment to advancing skin health, tailored to address unique challenges and opportunities in dermatology, aiming to improve skin care access, education, and outcomes globally.

On 12 February 2024, the Mudug Poly Clinic held a dermatology outreach clinic in Galkayo, Puntland, Somalia, aimed at providing specialist skincare services to communities with limited access to healthcare. The event featured a team of dermatologists, nurses, and healthcare professionals who offered individual consultations to diagnose and treat various skin conditions such as rashes, acne, eczema, and potential skin cancers. Treatment options ranged from prescribing medications to advising on lifestyle changes, complemented by educational sessions on skin care, sun protection, and the early detection of skin cancer. The clinic also provided vital referrals for further specialised care and arranged follow-up appointments to ensure ongoing management. This initiative significantly enhanced local access to dermatological care, particularly benefiting those in underserved areas or with restricted resources.

Central Alberta Dermatology Presents Patient and Physician Acne Education, a two-part series focusing on acne education for both patients and physicians. This initiative aims to bridge the gap in acne understanding and management, offering cutting-edge insights and practical advice to improve patient outcomes. The events will take place from 11 – 12 May 2024, both online and in person.

To combat skin NTDs and mark WSHD, the Malagasy Society of Dermatology (SOMADER) will host a congress in Toamasina on 22-23 May, with Global Dermatology, and attended by the Madagascar Ministry of Health, WHO, ISD, and ILDS, dermatologists, epidemiologists and healthcare professionals. This event, featuring over 40 presentations in multiple languages, aims to enhance awareness, diagnosis, and treatment of skin NTDs. It will bring together international experts for knowledge sharing and collaboration. Following the congress, on 24-25 May, they will undertake outreach and provide free skin healthcare in local healthcare centres in Tamatave, focusing on chroblastomycosis and sporotrichosis. Grenoble’s mycology-parasitology laboratory’s participation underscores the initiative’s significance in addressing skin NTDs globally.

In recognition of World Skin Health Day and “525 Skincare Day,” the Chinese Society of Dermatologists (CSD)/China Dermatologist Association (CDA) is set to launch its “Amazing China Skin Health First” initiative on 25 May 2024. This comprehensive national effort will include three key components: interviews with dermatology experts online, themed activities, and a free clinic day. The initiative is designed to promote the proper understanding of scientific skincare, guide the public in effective skincare practices, and help prevent skin diseases. Across China, 700 hospitals and clinics will participate, reinforcing the commitment to improving Skin Health for All. 

Dermosphere’s Initiative focuses on rural areas, hosting skin awareness camps on the 7th & 8th of July 2024 in New Delhi, India. The aim is to elevate the level of dermatological care and knowledge within underserved communities, emphasising preventive skin health practices and basic care to foster healthier communities.

In October, the Brazilian Society of Dermatology (SBD) will undertake a multimedia campaign to raise psoriasis, including television and radio broadcasts and online posts about identifying and managing the condition. 

In December, the Brazilian Society of Dermatology (SBD) will undertake a multimedia campaign to raise awareness about sun exposure and skin cancer, including television and radio broadcasts and online posts about skin cancer prevention and awareness.