International League Of Dermatological Societies

The ILDS society established in 1935 serves the purpose to improve dermatological care in neglected areas of developing countries through the development of education, public health intervention, service provision, and clinical research. Initially the project established was the Regional Dermatology Training Centre (RDTC) at the campus of the Kilimanjaro Christian Medical Center (KCMC) in Moshi,Tanzania. The principle objectives of the society are to:

• Encourage the worldwide advancement of dermatological education, care and science;
• Promotion of personal and professional relations amongst dermatologists from around the world;
• globally stimulate the cooperation of societies of dermatology

and societies interested in cutaneous medicine and biology;

• Represent dermatology in international health organizations; and organize a World Congress of Dermatology every four years.
• assisting dermatologists on a global basis in providing care for those who suffer from skin disorders, especially in resource-poor regions.

 It also provides dermatologic education and practical clinical training in developing countries in association with the International Foundation of Dermatology (IFD).There are more than 100 national Member Societies.

International Societies having  more than 50 members are permitted to join the ILDS and are designated as Affiliated Member Societies. Currently there are more than 30 such societies registered under ILDS. Individual dermatologists are not members of the ILDS, but still the League, through its member organization, represents more than 100,000 dermatologists worldwide.The ILDS also includes other groups involved in skin care, from dermatology nurses to graduates of the Regional Dermatology Training Centre in Tanzania. The members of the Board of the ILDS elects the Assembly of Delegates. Funds to support the construction of dormitories, outpatient clinics,inpatient facilities and a compounding pharmacy as well as the sponsorship of trainees have come from multiple sources. Fund-raising is a major responsibility of the IFD and, over the past decade, IFD has supported the initiation of additional training sites and projects. In 1987 the formation of the IFD occurred  in response to the fact that huge populations of patients suffered with skin problems in different parts of the world, especially in developing countries. This was largely caused by the lack or very limited number of dermatologists or local health care workers trained in the management of skin disease. In order to best accomplish its aims, the IFD focused on both education/training and the assessment. The current Chairman of IFD is Professor Roderick Hay. An additional goal of the ILDS is to establish and maintain official formal relationships with international health organizations such as the World Health Organization (WHO). Currently, the ILDS is the only dermatology-based nongovernmental organization (NGO) recognized by the WHO.