The Emirates Dermatology Society has signed a memorandum of understanding with LEO Pharma, a company specialising in dermatological medicine, aimed at raising awareness of chronic hand eczema, promoting early detection, and supporting diagnostic and therapeutic management approaches for patients in the United Arab Emirates.
The agreement includes the development of awareness initiatives targeting patients and healthcare providers, contributing to education about the disease's symptoms and how to manage it, in support of improving the quality of care and reducing its health, psychological, and social impacts.
The memorandum was signed during the inauguration of LEO Pharma's new regional office at Expo City Dubai, which serves as a hub for leading the company's operations in emerging markets and strengthens its collaboration with healthcare entities and physicians across the region.
Frederik Keire, Executive Vice President of International Operations at LEO Pharma, said that chronic hand eczema does not only affect patients' physical health, but extends its impact to their psychological, social, and professional lives, stressing the importance of enhancing early diagnosis and developing improved approaches to managing the disease through cooperation between healthcare institutions and specialised expertise.
Chronic hand eczema is among the most common skin diseases, affecting approximately 1 in every 20 people worldwide. It causes symptoms including itching, pain, redness, and skin cracking, and can affect sufferers' ability to work and their quality of daily life.