Dr. Abakar Ismail Hassan

Dr. Abakar Ismail Hassan is a dermatologist at Hôpital de la Paix in N'Djamena — one of Chad's principal public hospitals. As one of very few dermatologists practicing in a country with limited specialist medical infrastructure, he manages a broad range of skin conditions with particular expertise in tropical and infectious dermatological diseases prevalent in Chad and the wider Sahel region.

Chad's dermatological burden includes leprosy (endemic in several provinces), cutaneous leishmaniasis, onchocerciasis (river blindness), widespread fungal infections, scabies in high-density communities, and pyoderma secondary to poor wound care conditions. Dr. Hassan's practice is at the frontline of these challenges, operating within WHO's leprosy elimination programme and contributing to neglected tropical disease (NTD) control efforts.

Beyond tropical dermatology, he manages common conditions including eczema, contact dermatitis, psoriasis, acne, and performs skin cancer screening for both melanoma and non-melanoma skin cancers. He consults in French, Arabic, and Sara.

Dr. Hassan completed his MD at the Université de N'Djamena's Faculty of Health Sciences, then obtained his Diplôme d'Études Spécialisées (DES) in Dermatology through regional specialist training supported by the West African College of Physicians (WACP) network and partnerships with French dermatology institutions. He has attended WHO-sponsored leprosy management and neglected tropical disease training workshops and participates in Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) dermatology outreach programme activities in Chad.

Dr. Hassan's dermatological expertise is shaped by Chad's tropical disease profile. His leprosy practice covers diagnosis (clinical assessment, slit-skin smear, nerve biopsy for borderline cases), multidrug therapy (MDT) administration and monitoring, and management of leprosy reactions (Type 1 reversal reaction, Type 2 erythema nodosum leprosum). He diagnoses cutaneous leishmaniasis by smear and culture and coordinates antimoniate treatment. He manages onchocerciasis and co-manages ivermectin mass drug administration programmes. For common dermatoses, he performs skin biopsies, KOH preparations for fungal confirmation, patch testing for contact dermatitis, and wound care procedures.

Dr. Hassan is primarily a clinician within Chad's national health system serving the domestic population. International humanitarian workers and NGO personnel based in N'Djamena who require dermatological assessment — including management of tropical skin conditions acquired in the field — can consult him at Hôpital de la Paix. He consults in French and Arabic. Appointments are arranged through the hospital's outpatient department.

Dr. Hassan is a registered member of the Conseil National de l'Ordre des Médecins du Tchad and has been recognised within Hôpital de la Paix for his contributions to dermatology services and his work in neglected tropical skin disease management. He participates actively in Chad's national leprosy control programme and WHO neglected tropical disease activities, contributing to field diagnosis and treatment supervision in leprosy-endemic districts outside N'Djamena. He has engaged with Médecins Sans Frontières dermatology outreach activities in Chad and has participated in WHO-sponsored training workshops on NTD management and tropical dermatology relevant to the Sahel context.