Dr. John Akuey

Dr. John Akuey is a physician with dermatology training at Juba Teaching Hospital, South Sudan's principal hospital and the country's main academic medical institution. With over 10 years of medical experience, Dr. Akuey addresses the significant dermatological disease burden in South Sudan, a country where skin diseases are highly prevalent due to tropical climate conditions, limited access to clean water and sanitation, high rates of infectious disease, and the displacement and overcrowding associated with conflict. Conditions such as scabies, tinea infections, pyoderma, leprosy, and leishmaniasis represent a substantial proportion of dermatology presentations. South Sudan is one of the world's youngest nations with an extremely resource-constrained healthcare system. Dermatology services at Juba Teaching Hospital operate in this challenging context, supported by international NGOs and global health partners. Dr. Akuey works collaboratively with public health teams on skin disease surveillance and treatment programmes for neglected tropical diseases.

Dr. John Akuey completed his MBBS from a medical school in the East African region before returning to South Sudan to contribute to the country's nascent healthcare system. He obtained a Diploma in Dermatology through a postgraduate training programme supported by international health organisations, developing expertise in the diagnosis and management of dermatological conditions relevant to tropical and low-resource settings. His training encompassed tropical dermatology including leprosy, leishmaniasis, onchocerciasis, and schistosomal dermatoses, as well as common skin infections, HIV-related dermatology, and wound care. Dr. Akuey has participated in international NGO-facilitated dermatology training workshops and mass drug administration programmes for neglected tropical skin diseases. He engages with international dermatology networks for continuing medical education through the International Society of Dermatology (ISD) and the African Society of Dermatology and Venereology (ASDV).

Dr. Akuey's dermatology expertise is shaped by the tropical disease burden of South Sudan. His primary clinical focus is tropical dermatology — the management of skin conditions that are endemic or prevalent in tropical low-income settings. He diagnoses and manages scabies, ringworm, bacterial pyoderma, cutaneous leishmaniasis, leprosy (Hansen's disease), onchocerciasis (river blindness), yaws, and tinea versicolor. In HIV-related dermatology, he manages the skin manifestations of HIV including Kaposi's sarcoma, molluscum contagiosum, seborrhoeic dermatitis, and drug reactions to antiretroviral therapy. He provides wound care and management of chronic ulcers, including buruli ulcer, tropical ulcer, and sickle cell disease-related leg ulcers. His general dermatology practice also encompasses eczema, psoriasis, acne, and allergic skin reactions, which increasingly affect the urban Juba population.

Juba Teaching Hospital serves South Sudan's population and the international humanitarian community based in Juba. Dr. Akuey consults in English, Arabic, and Dinka, making him accessible to the diverse population of international workers, UN personnel, and aid organisation staff based in South Sudan. Skin conditions acquired in the tropical environment — including insect-related skin problems, infections, and heat-related dermatoses — are common presentations among international visitors. For complex dermatological conditions requiring advanced diagnostics (dermatopathology, dermoscopy, immunofluorescence), patients may be referred to Kenya or Uganda. International visitors to South Sudan are strongly advised to carry comprehensive medical travel insurance with evacuation cover.

Dr. John Akuey has been recognised by the South Sudan Ministry of Health for his contributions to dermatology care and neglected tropical disease programmes in Juba. He has received acknowledgment from international NGO partners for his participation in leprosy elimination and skin neglected tropical disease (NTD) management programmes. His commitment to building dermatology capacity in South Sudan's challenging healthcare environment has been commended by international dermatology training organisations.