Africa’s first psoriasis forum to confront overlooked disease burden in Nairobi

A chronic skin disease affecting millions but still widely under-recognised and often misdiagnosed across the continent, will be in focus in Nairobi at the first Africa-focused psoriasis forum, aimed at confronting its growing yet overlooked burden. The International Federation of Psoriasis Associations (IFPA) will host the IFPA Forum Africa 2026 from May 7 to 9, bringing together patient groups, clinicians, researchers, and policymakers to confront what experts describe as a growing but under-recognised public health challenge. The meeting comes at a critical time, as psoriasis—an inflammatory disease that causes silver, grey or red scaly skin lesions—continues to affect millions globally, while remaining poorly diagnosed, inadequately treated, and heavily stigmatised in many African countries. ALSO READ: Skin conditions: Psoriasis patients speak out on stigma and neglect Its organisers say the forum will go beyond discussion, aiming to build practical solutions across borders, strengthen patient advocacy networks, improve access to treatment, and elevate psoriasis on national and regional health agendas. It will also serve as a platform to share tools and approaches that can strengthen advocacy and patient support, while exploring ways to advance local research and improve patient representation in health systems. Psoriasis burden and gaps in care in Africa Speaking ahead of the forum, Frida Dunger, Executive Director of IFPA, said addressing psoriasis is essential to building stronger and more equitable health systems. “Each year, the IFPA Forum focuses on a specific region, bringing together local stakeholders to strengthen advocacy and drive collective action on psoriasis. This year, the forum is being held in Africa, and the timing could not be more appropriate. “By listening to local patient organisations and working together to develop a roadmap for addressing psoriasis on the continent, we can ensure that millions of people living with the condition are finally seen, heard, and supported,” she said. Psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis, she indicated, are chronic, non-communicable diseases with no cure. Beyond skin symptoms, they can cause pain, disability, and are linked to other serious conditions such as diabetes, obesity, cardiovascular disease, and depression. Despite this, the disease remains significantly under-recognised across Africa. Dunger explained that more than 3.5 million people in Africa are affected by psoriasis, often facing limited access to care, stigma, and a devastating economic burden on families and communities. She added that limited awareness and a shortage of specialists have contributed to widespread underdiagnosis. Reported prevalence in parts of East, West, Central, and Southern Africa is as low as 0.06 per cent, highlighting major gaps in detection and reporting. Access to care remains extremely limited, with just one dermatologist for more than one million people in Africa, compared with 36 per million in the United States and 65 per million in Germany. With most treatment paid for out of pocket, psoriasis care is often unaffordable, pushing some families deeper into poverty. The lived reality in Rwanda and beyond For patients like those represented by PsorAfrica, stigma remains one of the biggest challenges. Pierre-Célestin Habiyaremye, President of PsorAfrica and Founder of the Rwanda Psoriasis and Psoriatic Arthritis Organisation, said awareness gaps continue to affect lives both in rural and urban communities. “Whether in rural areas or cities, people still do not know enough about psoriasis. It affects my life, the cost, the worry, and the impact on my choices and social relationships. At the forum, we have gathered experts who understand the disease and are pushing for a better future.” “Africa is prioritising health, and we will be part of building solutions,” Habiyaremye said. Rwanda, he observed, faces a shortage of dermatologists, with only 13 specialists serving a population of about 13.2 million people, all based in Kigali. He highlighted persistent stigma and misconceptions surrounding the disease. “This isolation leads to severe psychological distress, including depression and suicidal thoughts. There is still a high cost of medication, as specialised treatments for psoriasis are expensive and not consistently available in local pharmacies. Only one medication is covered under community-based health insurance,” he said. Research gaps, he added, remain significant, though efforts are underway to improve dermatology training, review essential medicines, and study disease prevalence and patient quality of life. Why the Nairobi meeting matters Organisers say the Nairobi forum is significant because it is the first time Africa is hosting a dedicated continental dialogue on psoriasis—bringing visibility to a condition that has long been overshadowed by other health priorities. The meeting is expected to integrate psoriasis into broader discussions on non-communicable diseases (NCDs), strengthen national policy inclusion, and address systemic gaps in diagnosis, treatment, and research. For many patients, it also represents long-awaited recognition of a condition that affects not only physical health but also mental wellbeing, social relationships, and economic stability. Ambassador James Waweru, Kenya’s Deputy Permanent Representative to the United Nations in Geneva, said the forum reflects the need for a commitment to addressing psoriasis as a public health priority. “We commend IFPA’s commitment to collaborating with African stakeholders to bring psoriasis into the spotlight. Together, we can ensure people have access to timely diagnosis and high-quality, affordable care so they can live full lives free from stigma and discrimination.” Putting patients at the centre Media professional and social change advocate Janet Mbugua, who will host the forum, said the event offers an opportunity to elevate patient voices and push for change. “I am truly honoured to host the IFPA Forum Africa. Psoriasis affects millions of people, but it is still not spoken about enough. This is an opportunity to bring those stories to the forefront, highlight the real challenges people are facing, and support local efforts to strengthen care, research, and policy across the continent.” Key priorities of the forum The Nairobi meeting will focus on three main priorities: strengthening research to generate local data on psoriasis; improving representation of patients in health decision-making; and advancing rights and access, including inclusion in NCD strategies, essential medicines lists, and stigma reduction efforts. About IFPA IFPA is a global network of patient organisations working to improve care, advance research, raise awareness, and ensure that people living with psoriatic disease are represented in health policy discussions worldwide.

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Africa’s first psoriasis forum to confront overlooked disease burden in Nairobi