South African Psoriasis Association 2.31

The South African Psoriasis Association (SAPA) registered as a Non-Profit Organization, 11 December 2001. Currently SAPA has 600 registered members. SAPA is an active member of the International Federation of Psoriasis Association (IPFA).

At the 67th World Health Assembly, the World Health Organization (WHO) member states adopted a resolution on psoriasis, recognizing it as “a chronic, non-communicable, painful, disfiguring, and disabling disease for which there is no cure”. The resolution also acknowledges the psychosocial burden of the disease and that many people with psoriasis suffer due to lack of awareness and access to sufficient treatment.

The impact of Psoriasis can have negative effects on our communities in South Africa, when the lack of knowledge and understanding results in people being victimized and discriminated against. Psoriasis sufferers have an increased risk of developing other serious diseases, including Heart Disease, Diabetes, Depression and Cancer.


Over 1 million South Africans are affected by Psoriasis and the aim of SAPA is, as per our motto, "Building a better world for people with Psoriasis". SAPA intends to achieve this through,
• creating awareness
• providing a network based support system across South Africa
• making information available regarding treatment, dietary requirements and treatment centers


Events arranged by SAPA thus far, include Our World Psoriasis day event 2013 held in The Golden Acre shopping mall and the inaugural "Psoriasis family walk 2014" in May 2014.
We are participating in interviews with CTV, Radio CCFM, Voice of the Cape, Tygerberg Radio, Bush Radio and Zebonele.
We also had publications with Independent and Community newspapers.