KUWAIT CITY, June 21: The Kuwait Dermatologists Association (KDA) launched a nationwide awareness campaign on Saturday titled "Wasal" (Arabic for "Connect") to educate the public about hidradenitis suppurativa (HS), a chronic and painful skin condition that significantly impacts patients’ quality of life.

Speaking to reporters at the campaign's launch, Dr. Abeer Al-Badhali explained that the month-long initiative will include a variety of activities across Ministry of Health hospitals and centers, as well as engagements with several ministries and government bodies.

Dr. Al-Badhali noted that hidradenitis suppurativa is a long-term inflammatory condition that affects hair follicles, often leading to painful lumps, recurrent abscesses, and, in severe cases, chronic wounds and draining tunnels under the skin. The condition, she said, not only causes physical discomfort but also places a heavy psychological and emotional burden on those who suffer from it.

“The Wasal campaign aims to achieve several critical goals,” she said, “including raising public awareness about the disease’s symptoms, risk factors, and available treatments. Early diagnosis is key to preventing complications and improving outcomes.”

She highlighted that a central objective of the campaign is to break the social stigma and psychological barriers faced by HS patients by offering both medical guidance and emotional support to patients and their families through education and counseling.

The campaign will include awareness booths in hospitals and clinics, educational lectures for both patients and healthcare professionals, and field visits to various government institutions, organized in cooperation with several state entities.

Dr. Al-Badhali emphasized the campaign’s broader mission of empowerment: “Thanks to the efforts of our doctors, specialists, and supporters, we’ve taken a significant step forward in spreading awareness, empowering patients, and highlighting the importance of early diagnosis and effective, especially biological, treatments.”

The initiative reflects the growing recognition of HS as a public health concern and underscores the importance of community-based education in improving disease management and patient support.