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Date of issue: April 2025
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Dear ILDS Members, friends and colleagues,
2025 has already proven to be a great year for the global dermatology community. I am humbled by the sheer passion of our specialty that has already made, and continues to make, significant impacts around the world.
The last few months have been packed with exciting and proactive meetings that you can read about in this issue. The CME in Moshi, Tanzania with our AAD colleagues was a huge success; the ILDS Grand Challenges in Global Skin Health Committee met in London to discuss strategy planning; a successful site visit and Skin NTD side meeting was held at the WHO HQ in Geneva and was very well attended; and, I was privileged to carry out some community outreach work in Patagonia. I do hope you enjoy reading about these inspirational meetings below.
The ILDS were thrilled to receive the news that our 'Official Relations' status with the WHO has been renewed for a further three years, underscoring the ILDS’s vital role in promoting skin health around the world and allowing us to continue representing ILDS Members from around the world. Additionally, we recently issued an updated position statement on the Safe and Appropriate Use of Topical Corticosteroids, addressing mounting concerns over the misuse of these medicines in skin-bleaching products. The Statement has been received positively and we appreciate your ongoing support as this continues to build momentum.
As we highlight the significant burden of skin disease at the highest levels, we call on our Members, Partners and Stakeholders to join us in addressing the need for a WHA78 Resolution on Skin Diseases as a Global Public Health Priority! Find out how you can support the resolution below.
Let us continue to join together to improve #SkinHealth4theWorld.
With warm personal greetings,
Henry
Important updates!
Join Us in Addressing the Need for a WHA78 Resolution on Skin Diseases as a Global Public Health Priority! To support our commitment to strengthening dermatological care worldwide, the ILDS is part of a coalition of organisations advocating for a World Health Assembly (WHA) resolution on all skin diseases, working alongside partners to ensure greater recognition and action on all skin diseases. At the 156th session of the WHO Executive Board in February 2025, discussions on skin diseases highlighted the growing recognition of skin health as a global priority. Following deliberations, the Executive Board recommended the skin diseases resolution for adoption at the 78th World Health Assembly in May 2025.
We are proud to share that the World Health Organization (WHO) has renewed the Official Relations status of the ILDS for 2025-2027. This recognition reaffirms our role as a key partner in advancing #SkinHealth4theWorld. With over 200 member societies across 104 countries, representing more than 200,000 dermatologists globally, ILDS is the only dermatology-focused organisation to hold this prestigious status. This renewal strengthens our ability to advocate for better access to #dermatologicalcare, training, and essential medicines, especially in underserved communities.
The ILDS has issued an updated position statement on the Safe and Appropriate Use of Topical Corticosteroids, addressing growing concerns over their misuse in skin bleaching products. Skin-bleaching is a widespread public health issue in parts of Africa, Asia, South America, and the Caribbean, driven by social pressures that favour lighter skin tones. Supported by 50+ ILDS members, our statement outlines key recommendations to promote the safe use of topical corticosteroids and challenge harmful beauty standards.
Updates from the ILDS Secretariat
Skin diseases affect more than three billion people, making them the fifth most diagnosed disease category and one of the top ten causes of disability worldwide. On #WorldHealthDay we shared a video showcasing how ILDS and our global dermatology of over 200 dermatology organisations are working together to improve #SkinHealth4theWorld.
Watch the video here.
The Grand Challenges in Global Skin Health Committee held a Global Atlases Strategic Retreat 2025 which took place in February at the ILDS Headquarters in London, bringing together experts from the Global Psoriasis Atlas (GPA), Global Atopic Dermatitis Atlas (GADA), Global Vitiligo Atlas (GLOVA), and Global Hidradenitis Suppurativa Atlas (GHiSA), alongside key figures from the ILDS and the WHO. The meeting was a resounding success, energising participants with innovative research priorities, exciting projects, and a renewed commitment to global collaboration, underscoring the collective ambition of the global dermatology community to work towards making a transformative impact on the landscape of skin health. Watch the highlights.
The latest Global Psoriasis Atlas (GPA) Annual Report, published in April, highlights the GPA's continual efforts to expand its global impact with new research on the epidemiology and burden of psoriasis, including studies in Brazil, Malaysia, Afghanistan, and East Greenland. Highlights from 2024–2025 include the development of a diagnostic training tool for primary care providers, the appointment of a new Scientific Advisory Board, and growing collaboration with GPA Coordinators in over 40 countries. The GPA’s work underpins global advocacy and policy efforts, and its third edition is set to launch on World Psoriasis Day 2025. View the full report
We were delighted to have received over 200 applications for our World Skin Health Day (WSHD) grant programme to host a local or regional WSHD 2025 activity/event on or around the 8 July. Recipients will be notified in due course. There are many ways to get involved in WSHD this year – from providing care through outreach clinics, patient training, or volunteer days, to organising educational events that promote skin health in your community, or raising awareness and encouraging action to improve skin health for all. Visit the WSHD website to download helpful resources and sign up for the WSHD Newsletter here.
We are delighted that over 80 ILDS Member organisations have now registered to attend the 4th ILDS World Skin Summit from 24-25 October 2025 in Cape Town, South Africa. The Summit will focus on improving access to treatment and its costs on a global scale, assessing the current issues our members are facing and sharing successes and improvements to facilitate meaningful discussion and inform our strategy. Find out more here. If you are a leader of an ILDS Member organisation who would like to attend, please contact membership@ilds.org to check availability.
ILDS in the News
We continue to develop relationships with dermatological news outlets around the world to promote global skin health on behalf of ILDS Members and the wider dermatology community. Recent highlights below:
Publication: Punch
Following the announcement of our Position Statement on the Safe and Appropriate Use of Corticosteroids last month, Punch, the most widely-read newspaper in Nigeria, published an article in support.
To date, 6 publications and one radio station have ran the story with further interest still being received.
Dermatology Republic
An article by Dr Stephen Shumack, ILDS Board Member and Treasurer, is featured in this months issue of the Dermatology Republic in Australia. Dr Shumack provides a look at how Australian dermatologists and the ILDS are collaborating to expand dermatological care across the Pacific region.
Dermatology Digest
Our ongoing partnership with Dermatology Digest welcomes a new ILDS article in their latest issue this month. Hear from Dr. Claire Fuller, an ILDS Board Member and Chair of the IFD, who shares valuable insights about the IFD's work and offers an update on the Foundation's current projects and initiatives.
Dermatology Times
ILDS President, Prof Henry W. Lim was interviewed for an article in Dermatology Times this month where he highlighted two key updates - the renewal of the ILDS' Official Relations status with the World Health Organization and the Position Statement on the Safe and Appropriate Use of Corticosteroids.
World Congress of Dermatology
ILDS Members can now book Sister Society meetings for WCD2027 which will take place on 21 June 2027 before the beginning of the official Scientific Programme. Both Member and Affiliated Member Societies are eligible to register to host a meeting for WCD2027 delegates to attend. This will enable your Society to showcase activities and expertise in dermatology around the world and showcase your latest projects /topics and learn, share and network with you. Find out more here.
The latest newsletter from WCD2027 has been published and is packed with the latest updates. Find out why the WCD2027 Scientific Programme is set to be the most comprehensive in the history of WCDs, hear from Dr Mariel Isa (WCD2027 General Secretary) and Dr Ivonne Arellano (ILDS Secretary General ) as they share what makes the World Congress of Dermatology a must-attend experience and much more. Sign up to receive the WCD2027 newsletter here.
We are excited to announce the fourth Candidate City for the World Congress of Dermatology in 2031. Bali, Indonesia (submitted by the Indonesian Society of Dermatology & Venereology) joins Riyadh (Saudi Society of Dermatology and Dermatologic Surgery), Dubai (Emirates Dermatology Society) and Madrid (Spanish Academy of Dermatology and Venereology) in the bid to host WCD2031. The winner will be voted for by ILDS Members in 2027. Thinking of submitting a bid? More information and guidelines are available on our dedicated WCD2031 bidding page.
ILDS in Motion
As we continue to celebrate and showcase excellence within the ILDS, we are proud to highlight some of our remarkable members, projects, and programmes in action. In February and March, we joined teams from Nepal, Mexico, Hungary, and Serbia during their in-person exchanges through the Global Partnerships for Education and Care (GPEC) programme – capturing the incredible learning and collaboration taking place to strengthen dermatological education. Today, we are excited to share highlights from these trips, with full documentaries coming soon – watch this space!
The University Clinical Centre of Nis, Serbia visited the
University of Pécs in Hungary.
The Universidad Autónoma de Nuevo León, Mexico visited the Civil Service Hospital in Nepal.
International Foundation of Dermatology
On 4 April 2025, a dedicated team of 11 international dermatologists (from the USA, UK, South Africa, and Uruguay) joined forces with 9 Argentinian colleagues to provide care to the Atreuco Mapuche Community. The outreach, organized by Dr. Isabel Casas, took place at the Atreuco Rural School, where 122 patients were seen with the invaluable support of 4 local physicians and 10 healthcare workers. In addition to consultations, a photo-education workshop was held for local children, promoting sun safety and skin health awareness.
The following day, 5 April 2025, the team continued their efforts at San Martín de los Andes Hospital. Joined by 6 residents, 1 medical student, and 18 healthcare workers, they provided care to an additional 118 patients. In the afternoon, the visiting dermatologists gathered to exchange clinical insights, share personal experiences, and foster collaboration through thoughtful discussion and mutual learning. Find out more about this inspiring trip in the next issue - July 2025!
Through the IFD, the ILDS launched the new DermImpact Grants Programme towards the end of 2024. The Programme received an overwhelming number of applications.
We are thrilled to announce that five DermImpact Grants projects have been awarded, totalling over US $100,000. To find out more about these inspirational projects, click here.
Along with colleagues from AAD, the IFD and ILDS attended the 30th RDTC Continuing Medical Education (CME) Conference & Postgraduate Reunion 2025 in January, which brought together over 400 participants from around the world at one of Africa’s largest dermatology meetings. The CME, centred on this year’s theme Navigating Skin Health in the Tropics, provided a vital platform for graduates to enhance their skills, engage with international speakers, and for students to share their research and gain insights on challenging cases. Watch the highlights.
Our partnership with the WHO
The Second WHO Global Meeting on Skin-Related Neglected Tropical Diseases (Skin NTDs) was held from 24 to 26 March 2025, following the first meeting in March 2023. The purpose of this second gathering was to build on the implementation of the WHO NTD Road Map 2021–2030, with a central focus on integration of skin NTDs into broader health systems. Hosted both in person at WHO Headquarters in Geneva and online via Zoom, the meeting brought together a wide range of global stakeholders, reaffirming the collective commitment to tackling skin NTDs and interdisciplinary collaboration. Read our article here.
News from our partner - GLODERM
Join us for our 2025 scientific meeting at the International Congress of Dermatology (ICD) at the Roma Convention Center "La Nuvola" in Rome, Italy on Wednesday 18 June 2025 from 9AM to 12PM CEST! Under the theme “GLODERM Mentorship Programme: Empowering Future Leaders in Global Health Dermatology”, this in-person event will have engaging discussions and the latest insights in Global Health Dermatology. Register here or click here to add event to calendar.
GLODERM), in partnership with CeraVe Care for All, has awarded US$140,000 in grants to support seven dermatologists working in low-resource settings worldwide. Each recipient will receive US$20,000 to facilitate a one-year project aimed at increasing access to dermatological care in an underserved community. The grants form part of the GLODERM Mentorship Programme, an initiative that provides a year of online mentoring and educational resources to develop leadership and global health dermatology skills. Find out more.
Check out the latest episode of the GLODERM podcast, Stories of Our Skin: "From Awareness to Action: Insights from a Climate Activist". Zainab Waheed, a passionate climate advocate from Pakistan, shares her journey into activism, the impact of climate change on marginalised communities, and the fight for climate justice. This episode ties into our conversation with Dr Eva Parker in Episode 5, where she explores the often-overlooked effects of climate change on skin health and global health. Listen now on our website, Spotify, or Apple Podcasts!
The GLODERM Class 4 Mentee application window is now open with a deadline for applications on Wednesday 30 April 23:59 PM UTC. The programme brings together Mentor-Mentee Pairs from all over the world to share knowledge and grow the skills needed for Mentees to become ‘change-makers’. This Programme is not aimed at providing specialty training for clinical skills, it is focused on developing leadership, project management and changemaker expertise. Find out more.
ILDS Awards
A HUGE thank you to ILDS Members for submitting nominations for the ILDS Certificate of Appreciation Awards 2025. We are delighted to help ILDS Members shine a light on those making such impactful contributions in dermatology through either Leadership or Humanitarian categories. Recipients will be announced in July. Nominating your members for an ILDS Award is a membership benefit. Not a member? Join the ILDS and shine a light on outstanding members in your society as one of the many benefits of ILDS Membership for your society - find out more here.
Events and webinars
*Terms and conditions apply (see form for more details). Any request received may be considered by the Communications Committee before publication.
Important dates
1 May 2025
Submit your articles for the ILDS Member Initiatives Directory 2025
18 June 2025
GLODERM ICD Meeting, Rome, Italy
24-25 October 2025
4th ILDS World Skin Summit in Cape Town, South Africa
Follow @ILDSDerm to stay up to date with all the latest news, activities and opportunities or scan the QR code below.
Editor's Message:
I do hope you found this edition both informative and inspiring. A huge thank you to our readers who contribute in so many ways to the projects and programmes you read about in each issue. Your dedication and passion for both dermatology and our community are truly inspiring.
Together, we are growing a vibrant community and we really appreciate your support and you being an integral part of the ILDS journey.
We look forward to sharing more exciting stories and updates with you in the future.
Warm regards,
Esther
Dr Esther Freeman
Editor, ILDS Newsletter
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