The Anambra State Albinism Association (ASAA) has launched a N24 million appeal fund to cater to the medical needs of its members suffering from skin cancer and other ailments.
Speaking during the launch of the appeal fund in Akwa, the state capital, Ben Orizu, the chairman of ASAA, said the association lost four members to skin cancer and a lack of special care.
Orizu listed the late members of the association as Enemuo Ifeanyi, 27, who died in 2021; Peter Raymond, 25, who died in 2022; Ekemezie Precious, 24, who died in 2023; and Abuone Ijeoma, 46, who died in 2024.
He added that many members are presently down with different diseases.
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He said the trust fund will help to provide eye care services, protective clothes and accessories, dermatological care, sensitisation and care for cancer patients and Joseph Okoye, who presently needs N1.5 million for chemotherapy.
Speakers at the meeting include Emeka Obiozor, a professor and director of the Centre for Disability and Special Needs Research (CENDASNER), and Ugochukwu Okeke, Anambra state chairman of the Joint National Association of Persons with Disabilities (JONAPWD), who urged the government to end all kinds of stigmatisation against people with albinism.
They said one of the challenges facing people with albinism is a lack of protective care against the sun.
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They added that some of the issues can be addressed if the government enacts laws that will provide for the needs of people with disabilities.
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