By Michael Gwarisa
The African Alliance for Allergy and Clinical Immunology (AFRICALLI) is using World Allergy Week 2026 to push for a major shift in how allergic and immunologic diseases are prioritised across the continent, calling for them to be formally recognised as essential health care within national health systems.
Under the theme “Allergy Care is Essential Care”, the pan-African alliance is urging governments, health ministries, regulators and professional bodies to treat conditions such as asthma, eczema, food allergies and anaphylaxis as part of core health services rather than secondary or specialised concerns.
World Allergy Week, observed from 21 to 27 June 2026, is being marked with a coordinated message from clinicians and researchers across Africa that allergy care must move from the margins into mainstream health planning.
Across Africa, millions of people live with allergic and immunologic conditions including asthma, allergic rhinitis, eczema, urticaria, angioedema, drug allergies, food allergies, anaphylaxis and inherited immune disorders. These conditions contribute to school absenteeism, reduced workplace productivity, frequent hospital visits and in severe cases, avoidable deaths.
Despite this burden, allergy services remain underdeveloped in many countries, with limited numbers of trained specialists, inconsistent access to diagnostic tools and uneven availability of essential medicines such as inhalers, antihistamines and adrenaline auto-injectors.
According to AFRICALLI, allergic diseases are often diagnosed late or mismanaged at primary care level, largely because of gaps in training and health system prioritisation. In many settings, patients only reach specialist care after severe or life-threatening reactions.
“Allergic diseases are among the most common chronic conditions in the world and Africa is not exempt. What is different here is the system around the patient,” said Professor Mike Levin, Founding President of AFRICALLI and Head of the Division of Paediatric Allergy at the University of Cape Town.
“In most African countries allergy care is still treated as optional. AFRICALLI exists to change that by strengthening training, standards, data and advocacy so that allergy care becomes a normal part of health systems.”
AFRICALLI is a coalition of national societies, clinicians, researchers, trainees and patient partners from more than 20 African countries. It works to strengthen education, research, clinical standards and advocacy in allergy and clinical immunology, while ensuring African perspectives are reflected in global guidance.
The organisation says the burden of allergic disease is increasing due to a combination of genetic susceptibility, environmental exposure, urbanisation and changes in lifestyle and diet. However, health systems have not kept pace with this rise.
Across the continent, families face multiple barriers. These include limited access to diagnostic services such as spirometry and skin prick testing, shortages of essential medicines, weak food labelling systems and a lack of standardised clinical pathways. In many communities, allergic reactions are still attributed to non-medical causes, leading to delayed treatment.
The impact extends beyond hospitals and clinics. Allergies influence daily life decisions such as school meals, workplace safety protocols, travel planning and household risk management. For children in particular, poorly controlled allergies can affect learning and development.
AFRICALLI is using World Allergy Week 2026 to call for six priority actions. These include recognising allergy and clinical immunology as essential care in national health strategies and essential medicines lists, strengthening training for both specialists and primary care workers, and developing Africa-specific clinical guidelines that reflect local disease patterns and resource realities.
The organisation is also calling for improved access to diagnostics and medicines including inhaled therapies, antihistamines, adrenaline auto-injectors and biologic treatments where appropriate. It further urges governments to strengthen food labelling and consumer protection laws to reduce the risk of accidental exposure to allergens in everyday environments.
Another key priority is increased investment in African research and data collection to better understand the true burden of allergic disease and to inform policy and clinical practice.
The group has also highlighted a series of upcoming capacity-building initiatives, including the AFRICALLI Allergy in Africa Webinar series, preceptorship programmes, angioedema training initiatives and the AFRICALLI Congress scheduled for November 2026 in Accra, Ghana.
Health experts say early recognition and appropriate management of allergic conditions can significantly improve quality of life and reduce preventable emergencies.
“When allergies are properly diagnosed and managed, people are safer medically and can live, learn and work with greater confidence,” said Dr Evelyn Nganga, AFRICALLI Vice President for Communication and Member Engagement and President of the Allergy Society of Kenya. “Across Africa, that is achievable if we treat allergy as essential care, invest in professionals and listen to patients.”
AFRICALLI is calling for coordinated action across governments, healthcare providers, industry, educators and the media to improve public awareness, strengthen clinical systems and ensure consistent access to treatment.
