2024 ILDS DermLink Grant Recipients Announced

Supported by the British Association of Dermatologists (BAD) and led by Standing Voice, this project in Tanzania will train local medical officers to independently run skin clinics and surgeries for people with albinism living in Tanzania. This sustainable initiative builds on the success of the 2023 Standing Voice project as it will be implemented by previous participants and will empower local clinicians and medical officers to be better equipped to provide ongoing care for their communities.

Lead by Beyond Suncare and support by the Italian Society of Medical, Surgical, and Aesthetic Dermatology and Sexually Transmitted Diseases (SIDeMaST), this project in Rwanda focuses on training primary care nurses in rural health centres to identify and prevent sun damage-related skin diseases early and understand what measures to take to prevent such diseases. The project will also provide education aimed at normalising this condition among patients with Albinism and the community.

With support from the Spanish Academy of Dermatology and Venereology (AEDV), Dermalawi aims to improve the skin health of people in the Benga area of Malawi. By training local staff and healthcare workers, the project ensures sustainable long-term improvements for the 240,000 residents directly and indirectly.

Waves of Wellness: Empowering Fishermen for Skin Health and Prevention is supported by Indian Association of Dermatologists, Venerologists and Leprologists (IADVL), and aims to address skin ailments that affect the fishermen community in Coastal Karnataka, located along the Arabian Sea coast in the south-western part of India, emphasising Neglected Tropical Diseases of Skin (NTDS). It aims to provide medical treatment and education on sun protection and hygiene practices. Knowledge and information will also be shared with the wider local community.

The German Dermatological Society (DDG) is supporting this vital project in Cambodia aimed at establishing comprehensive dermatological services in Stung Treng. This initiative seeks to provide professional dermatological care to patients and offer specialised training to local healthcare staff. By focusing on underserved communities in Stung Treng Province, the project will directly benefit those suffering from skin diseases. Additionally, the creation and distribution of educational materials will enhance overall skin health knowledge and conditions in the region and nearby areas.

Supported by the Irish Association of Dermatologists (IAD), Standing Voice will expand the Skin Cancer Prevention Program (SCPP) in Malawi by organising and delivering a surgical training camp at Zomba Central Hospital. This project aims to address not only the need for training for dermatology professionals but will also deliver lifesaving surgery for those on the waiting list treated in the “Dermato-surgery Training Camp”.

The Tanzania Society for Dermatovenereology (TASOD) is supporting this project which is designed to enhance patient access, coverage, quality, and safety in skin care management in the Bagamoyo district in Tanzania. This initiative will integrate dermatology services with the community health workers (CHWs) approach, significantly benefiting residents in remote areas. Additionally, CHWs involved in the project will gain valuable knowledge and skills, further improving local healthcare delivery.

Supported by the Bangladesh Academy of Dermatology, this project addresses a critical health issue in Dhaka, the overpopulated capital of Bangladesh. Children living in madrasas and orphanages often lack access to proper diagnosis and treatment for scabies and other skin infections, resulting in widespread suffering. Additionally, when these children visit their relatives, they unknowingly spread the disease. This initiative marks the first stage in a comprehensive mission to combat the scabies outbreak in Bangladesh.

This project, supported by the Pakistan Association of Dermatologists (PAD), aims to improve public health outcomes in Lahore, Pakistan’s slum communities by curbing the spread of skin diseases, reducing suffering, and enhancing the skin health of this marginalised population. Additionally, it will equip the project leader with advanced knowledge and skills to control and reduce the prevalence of these conditions. This initiative will also help local authorities in assessing existing healthcare infrastructure within slum areas and identifying gaps in access to dermatological care.

Supported by the Society of Dermatologists, Venereologists and Leprologists of Nepal (SODVELON), this initiative is set in the Upper Himalayas in Nepal with a clear aim: to enhance skin health services and conditions in communities within the upper Karnali Province. The project will foster partnerships with local health institutions, governing bodies, and the Karnali Academy of Health Sciences. By offering free skin health care services, it not only benefits local residents but also provides additional training opportunities for healthcare professionals in the region.

Supported by the Philippine Dermatological Society (PDS), this project focuses on providing dermatological care and educating members of Indigenous Cultural Communities (ICCs) in Palawan province in the Philippines. The initiative aims to enhance hygiene practices and promote skin health through health education activities. Scheduled from July 2024 to June 2025, the project will provide essential dermatological services directly to ICCs, who are among the most vulnerable and marginalised groups in the Palawan region.

With the support of the Nigerian Association of Dermatologists, this project aims to educate the community in Kano State, North Nigeria, about scabies and the advantages of mass drug administration (MDA) as a viable solution. The initiative will be implemented in several phases, with a follow-up scheduled after six months to gather data and evaluate the effectiveness of the activities.

With support from the Dermatological Society of South Africa, DEBRA South Africa, a patient organisation, aims to implement vital crash course workshops across South Africa. These workshops, hosted at main medical centres, will bring together dermatologists, nurses, department heads, and stakeholders to enhance their knowledge of Epidermolysis Bullosa (EB) in newborns. The initiative will directly benefit EB patients and enhance the capabilities of community healthcare workers.

Supported by the International Society of Dermatology (ISD), this project aims to establish a dermatological surgery unit following Dr NDAGIJIMANA Jean Bosco's completion of specialised training in dermatological surgery in Egypt or Tanzania. Dr Bosco intends to acquire critical skills through targeted short-term training, enabling independent performance of dermatologic surgeries. Additionally, Dr Bosco will provide short-term training to students on essential dermatologic surgery procedures, thereby enhancing their service and care capabilities.

This project is supported by the Brazilian Society of Dermatology and is aimed at providing comprehensive and ongoing in-service training for dermatologists working in indigenous areas in Brazil. The objective is to prevent, detect early, and provide timely treatment for neglected dermatoses in Special Indigenous Health Districts in Brazil. Patients and healthcare workers in indigenous areas in Brazil will benefit directly from this project. Additionally, knowledge will be shared and health care workers who have participated in this project will be able to train others, therefore the continuity of action and share of knowledge will be guaranteed.

Supported by the Malagasy Society of Dermatology (SOMADER), this initiative is aimed at conducting a photovoice programme in Madagascar to document and communicate the burden of disabilities, deformities and stigmatisation experienced by individuals affected by leprosy. This project is an awareness raising campaign using photographs and narratives provided by patients suffering from leprosy and Grade 2 disabilities.

This project is supported by the Association of Dermatovenerologists and Cosmetologists of the Republic of Tajikistan (ADCRT) and is aimed at providing medical equipment and materials to support patients with Epidermolysis Bullosa (EB) living in Tajikistan.