Angela Onwuzoo As the World marks the 2024 International Albinism Awareness Day today, the Albinism Association of Nigeria has disclosed that at least two of its members die from skin cancer every month due to lack of access to care. The association urged the Federal Government to bring back free cancer treatment to save its members from untimely death. It noted that Nigerians need to be aware that albinos, due to their lack of melanin, the skin pigment are vulnerable to skin cancers and eye defects.
As such, they need financial support to purchase sunscreen and full-body covering clothes right from childhood. People living with albinism are confronted by two major health conditions – visual impairment and high vulnerability to skin damage from ultraviolet rays, resulting in skin cancer The association disclosed this while marking the day, themed, ‘10 years of IAAD: A decade of collective progress’. This year’s theme highlights the collective efforts made over the past decade to promote understanding, acceptance, and support for individuals living with albinism.
In 2014, the United Nations declared June 13 International Albinism Awareness Day. June 13 was selected because it was the date of the first UN resolution on albinism in 2013. Speaking in an exclusive interview with PUNCH Healthwise, President of the Albinism Association of Nigeria, Bisi Bamishe, said skin cancer was highly preventable when persons with albinism enjoy their health rights.
She said it was sad t.
