WSHD Madagascar | XIXth International Congress of Dermatology

For its XIXth Congress, and IIIrd WSHD, the SOMADER choose his topic of Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTDs) which are groups of parasitic and bacterial infections affecting over a billion people worldwide, mainly in low-income areas. These diseases often cause chronic and debilitating health conditions, which severely affect the quality of life of those affected, leading to social exclusion and poverty.

Of the approximately 20 NTDs established by the World Health Organization (WHO), twothirds of them have skin manifestations. The Skin NTDs can cause severe morbidity, disability, and disfigurement if left untreated. These conditions include Buruli ulcer, Cutaneous leishmaniasis, Post kala-azar dermal leishmaniasis, Leprosy, Lymphatic filariasis, Mycetoma, Onchocerciasis, Scabies and other parasitic infections of the skin, Yaws, Chromoblastomycosis, and Sporotrichosis. we are working to include chronic inflammatory diseases such as atopic dermatitis (AD) in the category of cutaneous NTDs, where the incidence is rising dramatically in sub-Saharan Africa.

To address the neglected burden of skin NTDs, the SOMADER organize this Congress in Toamasina on May 22 and 23, 2024 with the participation of speakers from several countries, in collaboration with Global Dermatology, WHO, ISAD and ILDS. The event will

showcase over 40 presentations in English and French, with subtitles available in several languages, including French, Spanish and English. On May 24-25, a field visit to primary health care centers is planned around Tamatave, an area hyperendemic in chroblastomycosis and sporotrichosis. Teams from Grenoble’s mycology-parasitology laboratory have already confirmed their participation. You can visite our WSHD last event’s on global dermatology website.

This event is an excellent initiative that can help raise awareness of skin NTDs and the importance of early diagnosis and treatment. By bringing together experts from various countries, the event can provide a platform for sharing experiences, best practices, and innovative approaches to combat these diseases. It is a step towards strengthening global partnerships and collaborations to eliminate skin NTDs and improve the health and wellbeing of millions of people worldwide.

The burden of skin NTDs is significant, and concerted efforts are needed to address this public health challenge. We also give our guests the opportunity to visit the city of Toamasina, the economic heart of Madagascar.