The first ISAD Global Meeting dedicated to Atopic Dermatitis in Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) was held at Novotel Geneva Centre, Geneva, Switzerland, April 12 - 14, 2019. 

A total of 30 participants were present at the meeting, including those from 17 SSA countries, representatives of the World Health Organization, International Foundation for Dermatology (IFD/ILDS), Fondation Dermatite Atopique, as well as specialists in telemedicine, artificial intelligence, and therapeutic patient education.

Atopic Dermatitis (AD) is the most common chronic inflammatory skin disease in SSA and needs a closer attention besides neglected tropical diseases (NTDs). A roadmap has been defined with top priorities such as access to essential medicines and devices for AD care, in particular emollients, better education of primary health care workers for adequate triage (e.g. better documents on AD on black skin) and involvement of traditional healers. In addition, several initiatives concerning AD research in SSA have been discussed and should be implemented in the next months and assessed at follow-up meetings, in particular at the next ISAD Meeting in Seoul, South Korea and the African Society of Dermatology and Venearology (ASDV) meeting in Nairobi, Kenya, both in 2020. 

Prof.  Alain Taïeb

President ISAD

ATOPIC DERMATITIS IN AFRICA

Chairs: Prof. Alain Taïeb (France)  & Prof. Peter Schmid-Grendelmeier (Switzerland)

APRIL 12, FRIDAY

18:30  Opening Session 

•  Introduction: Prof. Alain Taïeb & Prof. Peter Schmid-Grendelmeier
• Opening Lecture: Overview of Health Challenges Including Skin Health in sub-Saharan Africa - Prof. Mamadou Ball (Mauritania) - WHO Regional Representative

20:00  Welcome Cocktail

APRIL 13, SATURDAY

Morning Session

8.30-12.30

LECTURES:

• 8:30 - A Survey on Atopic Dermatitis in Sub-Saharan Africa - Dr Roberto Takaoka (Brazil)
• 8:55 - Atopic Dermatitis in Africa - Prof Gail Todd (South Africa)
• 9:20 - Aspects of Atopic Dermatitis in Tanzania - Prof John Masenga (Tanzania)
• 9:45  - Dermatology Journey to São Tomé e Príncipe -  Prof Antonio Miguel Correia (Portugal)

Coffee-Break (10:10 - 10:30)

• 10:30 - Atopic Dermatitis in Uganda -  Prof. Sara Brown (Scotland)
• 10:55 - Therapeutic Education in Chronic Disorders: A Global Perspective: Dr Jorge Correia (Switzerland)
• 11:20 - Telemedicine and Potential Application to AD in Africa -  Dr Valérie Dorizy-Vuong (France) and Dr Garba Mahamadou (Niger)
• 11:45 -  Atopic Dermatitis in Ethiopia  - Dr Belachew (Ethiopia)

Lunch  (12:30 - 14:00)

Afternoon session 

14.00-17.30

OPEN COMMUNICATIONS:

• 14:00 - Dr Mariem Kébé (Mauritania) - Atopic Dermatitis in Mauritania
• 14:15 - Dr Garba Mahamadou (Niger) - AD Management in Niger: The Key Points
• 14:30 - Prof Rabenja Rapelanoro (Madagascar) - Challenge in the Management of Atopic Dermatitis in Madagascar: Epidemiology, Clinical Presentation and Perspective 
• 14:45 - Dr Kayitesi Kayitenkore (Rwanda) - Atopic Dermatitis in a Private Dermatology Practice Based in Kigali, Rwanda
• 15:00 - Dr Fatimata Ly (Senegal) -  Problems in the Management of Atopic Dermatitis in Senegal
• 15:15 - Ousmane Faye (Mali)) -  Low dose Cyclosporine for the management of cortico-resistant atopic dermatitis morbidly obese patient

Coffee-Break (15:30 - 15:45)

• 15:45 - Dr Kouadio Célestin Ahogo (Ivory Coast) - Challenges in Different Steps of the Management of Atopic Dermatitis: The Case of  Côte d’Ivoire
• 16:00 - Dr Rolanda Manuel (Mozambique) - Atopic Dermatitis in Mozambique
• 16:15 - Dr Christian Muteba Baseke  (DRC) -  Epidemiological and Clinical Profile of Atopic Dermatitis in Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of the Congo
• 16:30 - Dr Amina Nomtond Ouedraogo (Burkina Faso) - Management of Atopic Dermatitis in Burkina Faso
• 16:45 - Dr Julienne Teclessou (Togo) -  Atopic Dermatitis in Togo: An update
• 17:00 - Dr Claire Fuller (UK) - The Intentional Foundation for Dermatology (IFD) - Activities in Sub-Saharan Africa

Dinner

APRIL 14, SUNDAY

Morning Session

8.30-12.30

• Research Road Map - Prof Peter Schmid-Grendelmeier (Switzerland)
• Microbiota in AD - Differences Between Urban and Rural Environment for Serum Biomarkers -Dr Nonhlanhla Lunjani (South Africa/Ireland)

Design Thinking Workshop:

• Design Thinking in Atopic Dermatitis - Dr Roberto Takaoka (Brazil)
• Identifying Problems in AD

Coffee-Break (10:00 - 10:30)

• Origami workshop - Emiko Okamoto (Japan)
• Brainstorming and Creating Solutions

Closing

• Summary of Possible Actions and Road Map

Farewell lunch