World Allergy Week: AFRICALLI Seeks Urgent Recognition Of Allergy Care As Essential Healthcare

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Africa’s growing allergy crisis is being overlooked, exposing millions to preventable illness and death, as the African Alliance for Allergy and Clinical Immunology (AFRICALLI) demands governments recognise allergy and clinical immunology as essential healthcare during World Allergy Week 2026 writes CHIOMA UMEHA.

The African Alliance for Allergy and Clinical Immunology (AFRICALLI) has urged African governments to recognise allergy and clinical immunology as essential healthcare services. It warned that millions remain exposed to preventable illness and deaths because allergic diseases receive inadequate policy attention.

The call coincides with the close of World Allergy Week 2026, themed, “Allergy Care is Essential Care.” AFRICALLI said allergic and immunologic diseases have become a major public health challenge across Africa despite receiving limited attention from policymakers.

The alliance said asthma, allergic rhinitis, eczema, food allergies, drug allergies, urticaria, angioedema, anaphylaxis and inherited immune disorders affect millions of African children and adults every year.

According to AFRICALLI, these conditions contribute to school absenteeism, reduced productivity, avoidable hospital admissions and preventable deaths. It said the growing burden demands urgent action from governments and healthcare institutions across the continent.

Despite the rising cases, allergy care remains outside national health priorities in many African countries. Specialist training programmes, diagnostic services and access to essential medicines remain inadequate in several health systems.

AFRICALLI said many patients receive specialist care only after suffering severe allergic reactions. It blamed shortages of trained specialists, limited diagnostic facilities and poor access to lifesaving medicines for the persistent treatment gap.

The alliance brings together clinicians, researchers, trainees, patient advocates and national allergy societies from more than 20 African countries. It aims to strengthen education, research, advocacy and clinical standards across the continent.

AFRICALLI also seeks to ensure African experiences and scientific evidence influence regional policies and global clinical guidelines on allergy and immunology.

The organisation noted that access to inhalers, antihistamines, adrenaline auto-injectors, allergy testing and biologic therapies remains inconsistent. Food-labelling regulations and consumer protection measures also vary widely between African countries.

It warned that delayed diagnosis frequently results in avoidable emergencies occurring in homes, schools, restaurants and healthcare facilities. Many patients are treated only after developing life-threatening complications.

Professor Mike Levin, Founding President of AFRICALLI, said allergic diseases rank among the world’s most common chronic health conditions. He added that Africa’s greatest challenge lies within the healthcare system rather than the diseases themselves.

Levin said committed healthcare professionals already exist across Africa. However, he noted that allergy care continues to be treated as optional in many countries instead of being integrated into mainstream healthcare delivery.

He said AFRICALLI was established to strengthen specialist training, improve clinical standards, expand African research and promote policies supporting accessible allergy care throughout the continent.

The alliance stressed that allergic diseases rarely occur alone. Many patients simultaneously live with asthma, allergic rhinitis and eczema or develop food and drug allergies that complicate treatment for other serious illnesses.

It noted that allergic reactions can complicate treatment for tuberculosis, HIV infection and cancer. Poor diagnosis and inconsistent management increase the risks of chronic inflammation, recurrent infections and severe allergic emergencies.

AFRICALLI said allergies also affect everyday life beyond hospital settings. Families regularly face challenges involving food safety, school attendance, travel and workplace preparedness because of unexpected allergic reactions.

To address these concerns, the alliance unveiled a six-point action plan for governments, healthcare professionals, regulators, educators, industry and patient organisations.

The first recommendation calls for allergy and clinical immunology to become recognised as essential healthcare. AFRICALLI urged governments to integrate both disciplines into national health strategies and essential medicines programmes.

The alliance also advocated stronger specialist and primary healthcare training through webinars, preceptorships and scientific conferences. It said expanding professional education would improve diagnosis and patient outcomes.

AFRICALLI further recommended developing African clinical guidelines reflecting local disease patterns, available diagnostic tools and practical treatment pathways suited to healthcare systems across the continent.

The organisation also called for improved access to spirometry, allergy testing, inhaled therapies, antihistamines, adrenaline auto-injectors, biologic medicines and immunotherapy where clinically appropriate.

It urged governments to strengthen food-labelling regulations, improve consumer protection and make schools safer for people living with allergies. Such measures, it said, would reduce preventable allergic emergencies.

The alliance further called for greater investment in African research and disease surveillance. Better evidence, it said, would support stronger national policies and improve global understanding of allergy patterns across Africa.

AFRICALLI encouraged patients and caregivers to seek medical assessment for persistent wheezing, eczema, reactions to foods or medicines, swelling of the lips or throat, dizziness, collapse or breathing difficulties.

Dr Evelyn Nganga, AFRICALLI Vice President for Communication and Member Engagement, said early diagnosis and proper treatment significantly improve patient safety and quality of life.

She said recognising allergy care as essential healthcare would enable more Africans to live, learn and work with greater confidence. She also urged governments to invest more in healthcare professionals and patient-centred services.

The alliance called for coordinated action involving governments, healthcare institutions, regulators, educators, industry, patient organisations and the media. It said stronger collaboration would improve awareness, treatment and access to essential medicines.

As part of its long-term strategy, AFRICALLI will continue expanding specialist education across Africa. Planned activities include webinars, preceptorship programmes and the joint Allergy Society of Ghana and AFRICALLI Congress in Accra.

The congress is scheduled for November 19 and 20, 2026. It is expected to bring together healthcare professionals, researchers and policymakers to strengthen allergy care across the continent.

Dr Hilary Andoh, President of the Allergy Society of Ghana, described World Allergy Week as an opportunity to reposition allergy care within African health systems. He urged stronger collaboration among governments, professionals and patient organisations.

AFRICALLI insisted that recognising allergy care as essential healthcare would save lives, reduce healthcare costs and improve the wellbeing of millions of Africans. The alliance said the time had come to move allergy care from the margins to the mainstream.