When illness drains both your wallet and your spirit – what’s left to fight with? For Dar es Salaam resident Frank Latamani, that question isn't theoretical. Living with Psoriasis – a lifelong, non-contagious skin disease – has become an exhausting and expensive struggle. Every month, Frank spends over 1.2 million Tanzanian shillings just to keep his symptoms somewhat under control. But here’s what most people don’t realize: the financial cost is only one part of the story.
Frank’s monthly treatment plan includes two vials of injectable steroids at about 450,000/- each and three tubes of medicated ointment costing 90,000/- apiece. That totals 1,270,000/- every month – a sum that would strain even steady incomes. “Now that I’m retired, I constantly wonder which comes first—basic needs like food and education, or the medication that keeps me functioning,” he admits. As vice chairman of the Tanzania Psoriasis Association (PSORATA), he knows his struggle reflects that of many others.
His journey began in 2012 with small, itchy patches that looked like dandruff and were easy to dismiss. But by 2016, the problem had spread to his waist, legs, and scalp. After visiting multiple clinics, a dermatologist at Muhimbili National Hospital (MNH) finally confirmed Psoriasis through a biopsy—a moment that brought clarity, but no cure. Psoriasis, doctors explained, cannot be eradicated; it can only be managed through ongoing care.
Desperate for relief, Frank flew to India’s Apollo Hospital in late 2020, despite the global challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic. Supported by 30 million shillings raised by family and friends, he underwent months of intensive treatment. The injections worked quickly, easing symptoms, but the costs were staggering. He has since experienced several forms of the disease—including palmoplantar psoriasis, which causes severe peeling of the hands and feet, and inverse psoriasis, which affects sensitive skin folds. “Even shaking someone’s hand can be painful,” he says.
Since his retirement in 2021, maintaining treatment has become nearly impossible. Beyond the visible symptoms, psoriasis chips away at emotional well-being—inviting depression, anxiety, fear, and loneliness. Financial strain, paired with the social stigma of a visible condition, only worsens the isolation. “Friends stop visiting. They think your life has become too complicated,” Frank confides.
He’s not alone. Jolly Digallu, PSORATA’s treasurer, echoes his concerns. “One injection costs around 400,000/-. Tell me, how can an average pensioner afford that?” she asks. Their message is clear: the government must do more. The Ministry of Health, Frank argues, should develop a structured support system for psoriasis patients, most of whom are over 35 and managing multiple chronic conditions.
Dermatologist Dr. Magdalena Dennis of Muhimbili National Hospital confirms that psoriasis, though relatively rare in Tanzania, is far from unheard of. “Out of the 300 to 500 patients we see weekly, at least one is diagnosed with psoriasis,” she notes. Globally, around 2–3% of people—roughly 125 million—live with the disease. It occurs when the immune system triggers excessive skin cell growth, forming dry, scaly, often painful patches. The condition is also linked to other noncommunicable diseases like hypertension and diabetes.
Established in 2006, the Tanzania Psoriasis Association now counts over 300 members nationwide. Beyond advocacy, it offers something essential that medicine alone cannot provide: understanding and community. Through support groups, health education, and shared experiences, PSORATA helps restore hope to those who feel overlooked.
But one question still lingers—how much should staying healthy really cost? Should life-changing treatment be a privilege or a right? Share your thoughts: Should Tanzania’s healthcare system step in to subsidize expensive chronic disease treatment, or is it up to individuals and private insurers to shoulder the burden?
