Psoriasis: African Advocates Urge Action Against Stigma, Treatment Barriers

By Ojoma Akor

African health advocates have called for urgent action to address the stigma, psychological distress, and barriers to healthcare faced by people living with psoriasis.

They warn that misconceptions about the condition continue to fuel discrimination and social exclusion.

PsorAfrica, a non-profit organization advocating improved awareness, diagnosis, treatment and equitable healthcare for people living with psoriasis and psoriatic disease across the continent, made the call.

Under the theme “Look Beyond My Skin,” the organization urged communities to look beyond the visible symptoms of psoriasis and recognize its wider impact on the physical, psychological and social well-being of those affected.

Psoriasis is a chronic, immune-mediated inflammatory disease that primarily affects the skin but can also involve the joints. It is not contagious, yet misconceptions about the condition can expose affected individuals to rejection, embarrassment and isolation.

For young people, the consequences can extend beyond their health, affecting their experiences in classrooms, friendships, romantic relationships, sporting activities, higher education and the workplace.

According to PsorAfrica, young people living with psoriasis have reported hurtful comments, rejection, loneliness and pressure to conceal their skin to avoid negative reactions from others.

Pierre Habiyaremye, a representative of the organization, said the campaign theme was meant to challenge myths that perpetuate stigma against people living with visible skin conditions.

“You cannot get psoriasis by touching someone, sharing a classroom, working alongside them, hugging them or sitting next to them,” Habiyaremye said.

He added that misunderstandings about the disease could cause people to withdraw from those affected, stressing that public education was essential to changing attitudes.

“Education can change that,” he said.

Access to diagnosis and treatment remains a challenge

Beyond discrimination, access to accurate diagnosis and appropriate treatment remains a significant challenge for many Africans living with psoriasis.

PsorAfrica noted that many African countries have fewer than one dermatologist per million people, leaving patients with limited access to specialist care.

Dermatological services are often concentrated in major cities, forcing some patients to travel long distances or cross national borders to obtain treatment.

The situation is further complicated by the limited availability and high cost of modern therapies, which can put appropriate care out of reach for many patients.

For young Africans experiencing the first signs of psoriasis, these barriers can create a double burden: coping with an unfamiliar condition while struggling to find a healthcare system capable of providing the necessary diagnosis, treatment and ongoing support.

Delayed diagnosis and inadequate access to care can compound the challenges faced by people living with the disease, particularly when visible symptoms expose them to stigma and discrimination.

Advocates call for mental health support.

PsorAfrica is calling for greater recognition of the psychological and social consequences of psoriasis, particularly among young people, whose confidence, relationships and participation in everyday activities may be affected by the condition.

The organization is also advocating educational initiatives in schools, universities and workplaces to counter misinformation and promote the inclusion of people living with psoriasis.

It further wants young people affected by psoriasis and related psoriatic diseases to have a meaningful role in health advocacy, policy development and decisions that affect their lives.

The campaign highlights the need for a broader approach to psoriasis care that goes beyond treating visible skin symptoms to address patients’ emotional well-being, social experiences and access to healthcare.

For people living with the condition, advocates say, reducing stigma must go hand in hand with improving diagnosis, treatment and support services.

PsorAfrica is a non-profit organization working to improve awareness, diagnosis, treatment and equitable healthcare for people living with psoriasis and psoriatic disease across Africa.