Albinism association to FG: Implement national policy to protect our members

The Albinism Association of Nigeria (AAN) has urged the federal government to implement the national policy on albinism formulated in 2019.

The association made the call during a one-day meeting with the albinism community and other disability groups to mark International Albinism Awareness Day in Lagos.

The theme for this year’s event was ‘10 years of IAAD: A decade of collective progress’.

Bisi Bamishe, the executive director of AAN, lamented that people with albinism continue to experience discrimination and social exclusion from education, healthcare, and employment.

“Persons with albinism are suffering, and it seems there is no hope, even though a national policy supporting our way of living was initiated,” Bamishe said.

“Hence, the need to ensure a review and implementation because of the prevailing negative circumstances faced by PWAs.”

She said priority must be given to the prevention and treatment of skin cancer, noting that the disease is the “greatest enemy” of people with albinism.

“The government should make provision for cancer treatment, regular skin checks, and sunscreen in all teaching hospitals across the six geopolitical zones of the country,” she added.

Adenike Oyetunde-Lawal, the general manager (GM) of the Lagos State Office for Disability Affairs (LASODA), represented by Kilani Toluwalope, a deputy director at the agency, said issues affecting PWAs are of top priority.

“LASODA remains committed to looking into their issues. Whenever something comes up, they might not get done immediately. But we will continue to give them support,” Oyetunde-Lawal said.

“Regarding skin cancer, we are working with the dermatology unit in LASUTH. They (albinos) can testify that we don’t joke with the issue of cancer because it is very dangerous.”