The Abia State Disability Commission has announced plans to distribute free sunscreen lotions to persons with albinism across the state as part of its efforts to promote their health and well-being, and reduce the risk of skin cancer.
Mr David Anyaele, the Chairman of fhe commission said this at a one day Albinism Medical Sensitisation at the school for the Blind in Afara Umuahia.
The Sensitisation themed, “Meeting the needs of Persons with Albinism through Medical Model” was organised by the Albinism Association of Nigeria (AAN), Abia State Chapter.
Anyaele said that the initiative to provide sunscreen was to protect beneficiaries from harmful ultraviolet rays and to reduce the risk of skin-related complications commonly associated with albinism.
This initiative, he said, was in line with the commitment of the Governor Alex Otti to enhance the lives of every Person with Disabilities (PWDs) especially Persons with Albinism (PWA).
“The commission will provide four packs of sunscreen lotion to each participant. This is to ensure that members of the Albinism community have protective cream to protect their skin from hot sun and skin cancer.
“The chairman of AAN will suggest a date for this distribution and the Commission will provide transportation fare for members coming to pick the lotion.
“However, PWA should not depend on governments alone for awareness creation on their issues,” he said.
Anyaele said that the government understood the implications of excessive exposure to sun rays which often resulted to skin cancer, loss of sight and difficulties in participating in activities such as class room education.
He also said that the government was aware of the economic challenges being experienced by PWAs due to limited employment opportunities and poverty.
Anyaele said that the state government had built the capacity of 17 Local Government Areas’ Chairmen, Permanent Secretaries from the Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs) on disability inclusion and , Abia State Disability Law and Disability Budgeting.
He said that the disability commission was currently sensitising officials of the Health and Education departments from the 17 LGAs on disability issues with the effective participation of Ms. Ijeoma Okoronkwo a member of the board of the commission and PWA cluster
He said that the disability commission had also provided financial support to all the disability clusters in the state including AAN to ensure they commemorated their international days.
He, however, advised members of AAN not to relent or completely rely on the government for assistance concerning their immediate concerns, especially awareness creation.
Anyaele said that PWAs must provide leadership for awareness creation on people with albinism, adding that members of the albinism cluster must acquire knowledge on albinism issues.
He cited the efforts made by federal and state stakeholders towards the enactment of disability laws and the responsibilities of the various disability clusters in creating awareness on the laws to ensure its effective implementation.
Anyaele said that PWAs must provide leadership for awareness creation on people with albinism, adding that members of the albinism cluster must acquire knowledge on albinism issues.
The chairman of the commission commended the leadership of the AAN for organising the sensitisation aimed at raising awareness on the situation of PWAs in the state.
He called for more awareness on changing the myths and misconceptions of PWAs.
According to him, Persons with Albinism in some parts of Africa are endangered species.
“In countries like Tanzania they are targeted for ritual killing as such they don’t go out unprotected.
“In Nigeria their challenges include discrimination using PWA as object of mockery, bulling, exclusion, isolation, stigma, and denial of opportunities,” he said.
