Teledermatology as a new tool in sub-Saharan Africa: An experience from Tanzania

Large areas of sub-Saharan Africa suffer a substantial lack of skin care. Hence teledermatology, meaning the online visual exchange of clinical and histologic data, could develop into a powerful medical resource. We report the first established teledermatologic connection in this area: between the Regional Dermatology Training Centre (RDTC) in Moshi, Northern Tanzania, and the Department of Dermatology, University Hospital of Zurich, Switzerland. This report illustrates local difficulties as well as the considerable potential of teledermatology in such a setting.