Training of local health personnel to make them autonomous in the diagnosis and treatment of skin diseases, making use of specific remedies produced locally

The Foundation's intervention in the field of dermatology aims to implement training programs for local health workers on Pemba Island, particularly in the Chake Chake district. The health facilities present, but not always efficient, need specialized health workers, who will be trained and supported by experienced Italian dermatologists. In particular, the following dermatology-specific figures will be created: Clinical Officer, Public Health Officer, nursing professionals (Community Health Nurse, General Nurse, Mother and Child Health...), Laboratorian Technician, Assistant Medical Officer and Medical Doctor. At the end of this course, Island professionals will be able to recognize and independently treat the most common skin diseases such as Folliculitis (follicular duct infections), Herpes Zoster (caused by Varicella Zoster Virus) and various types of Tinea (capitis, corporis and pedis). In addition, they will be able to independently manage and deliver galenic preparations, specially prepared by specialized laboratory health staff.

Skin affections are among the most common diseases in dermatology in many African populations across the continent. They result mainly from poor hygienic conditions and are, for the most part, infectious (bacterial-viral) or parasitic in origin. The danger of these diseases lies in the loss of skin integrity, which exposes individuals to life-threatening infections. If in Europe similar skin diseases are uncommon and quickly treated through appropriate antibiotics, in Africa this is not possible. In fact, the poor efficiency of health care facilities and the difficult availability and transportation of antibiotic drugs make this type of treatment inconvenient, which would only risk being ruined and/or wasted. As an alternative to traditional drugs for skin diseases, Galenic Products, natural substances produced in the laboratory, which boast easy availability of active ingredients and low cost, can be used. In addition, their efficacy is mostly comparable to that of antibiotic drugs, with fewer side effects. The pairing of dermatologists and specialized Italian personnel will enable local health professionals to prepare these Products themselves, making a huge step forward in the independent identification and treatment of diseases in the dermatological field.