Social responsibility in dermatology: L’Oréal announces 5 top projects

In partnership with the International League of Dermatological Societies (ILDS)

and the 24th World Congress of Dermatology (WCD), L’Oréal presented the accolade to initiatives led by dermatologists that are improving patients’ physical and psychological well-being, self-esteem, social integration and skin health, and enabling patients to reengage socially.

International Awards for Social Responsibility in Dermatology 2019: “Caring to Inspire Skin Confidence”​

The laureates awarded are the following:

For Africa & Middle East: Prof. Dalia Gamal Aly & Dr. Ragia Hany Weshahy from Egypt​

For a Better Life after Burns​

The project led by these dermatologists, in Giza, Egypt, is a joint venture with the Ahl Masr Foundation, an Egyptian non-profit organization providing support to burn victims and offering a preventive and awareness programs on burn accidents and their consequences to the most marginalized communities.

For Asia: Dr. Sabina Bhattarai from Nepal​

Dermatology Patient Care in Rural Nepal: Reaching the Unreached​

The project supported by Dr Bhattarai is run by a non-profit organization “Ek Ek Paila” created after the 2015 earthquake.

It aims to provide free medical services on a regular basis to areas devastated by the earthquake and now to remote regions of Nepal.

As no dermatologists were working in any of the areas visited, this health care initiative has brought screening, identification and treatment to 1,575 patients with skin diseases responsible for social stigmatization.

For Europe: Prof. Kathrin Giehl from Germany​

Besonderhaut - Initiative for Children with Rare and Genetic Skin Diseases​

The Besonderhaut project of Prof. Giehl is run by the “Deutsche Stiftung Kinderdermatologie” (German foundation on child dermatology).

The project consists of different methods and activities to support patients and families with chronic rare and genetic diseases (ichtyose, epidermolysis bullosa, tuberous sclerosis, etc.).

The main goal is to improve the quality of life and self-esteem of child sufferers in order to aid their integration into society.

For North America: Dr. Mark Holzberg from the United States​

Volunteer Dermatologist Dermatology Clinic for Atlanta’s Homeless at the Mercy Care Clinic at the Gateway Center​

Mercy Care Clinic delivers primary care, dental and vision, pediatrics, health education, and HIV treatment.

In 2009, Mercy Care formed an association with the Gateway Center for the Homeless to provide primary care and dentistry for the homeless population in the metropolitan Atlanta area.

The program set up by Dr. Holzberg adds full-service dermatology to the clinic with the help of eight dermatologists and the Georgia Society of Dermatology and Dermatologic Surgery, thereby providing this population with access to dermatologic care.

For South & Central America: Dr. Carolina Reato Marçon from Brazil​

Pró-Albino Program: Prevention, Diagnosis and Treatment of Actinic Skin Damage, Emotional Support and Social Inclusion in Albinism​

The dermatology department of Santa Casa de Misericórdia Hospital recorded a high incidence of advanced skin cancers and actinic damage in albino patients.

As a direct result, the department decided to set up a program to provide effective interventions for the prevention and early management of skin cancer, and to provide emotional and social support to albino patients.