Foundation Lists Challenges Of Albinos

Founder of the Albino Foundation (TAF), Mr Jake Epelle,  on Thursday said that the greatest challenge of persons living with albinism was skin cancer.

Epelle made the statement at a press briefing on National Day of Albinism in Abuja, saying  that albinos were susceptible to skin cancer because of their delicate skin type.

He explained that unprotected exposure to the sun increased the possibility of skin cancer and other skin diseases in persons with albinism.

According to him, the sunshade campaign by the foundation is aimed at encouraging persons living  with albinism to wear long sleeves, hat and use sunscreen cream.

Epelle also identified education as another challenge faced by the foundation, arguing that persons living with albinism in the country were either illiterate or poorly educated because of  low vision impairment.

He explained that this has led to discrimination and social exclusion as a result of their skin colour, adding that there was also a deliberate failure to educate children living with albinism.

Epelle, therefore, appealed to partners and well meaning Nigerians to partner with the foundation in fighting the course of albinism in the country.

“Albinos are being kidnapped and killed for ritual purposes, government should put mechanism in place for their safety.”

Also speaking, a Consultant Gynaecologist, Ebonyi State University Teaching Hospital, Prof. Anezi Okoro, advised all persons living with albinism to keep away from the sun.

He explained that keeping away from the sun does not mean they would not go to school but should use sun screen cream to protect the skin.

Okoro said that the sunscreen cream should be applied on the skin two to three times a day, which would also help.

According to him, when the sun damages the skin, the skin will be broken down and this leads to skin cancer.

“If you do not have cancer of the skin, you cannot die of cancer of the skin.”

Okoro also mentioned poor vision caused by lack of pigment, which made teachers, family members, schoolmates and peers discriminate against persons living with albinism.

He, therefore, advised the  teachers to make the children stay in front of the class and not at the back seats. He also appealed to parents to be friendly with the teachers, too.

Okoro also recommended to parents that they should provide indoor games for the children to keep them away from the sun.