International Albinism Awareness Day is observed annually on the 13th of June. The yearly commemoration is designed to create awareness and eliminate all forms of misconception, stigmatization and discrimination against Persons With Albinism all over the world. The theme for this year’s program is “Strength Beyond All Odds”.
Albinism is a genetic condition that affects the skin, hair and eye. The defect is manifested in the lack of colour pigmentation called melanin which gives colouration to the skin, hair and eyes.
When there is low or no melanin in the body, the body becomes prone to ultraviolet rays. This dangerous exposure in the absence of melanin puts Persons With Albinism at the risk of developing skin cancer.
There are myths in the society about PWA. Some of these includes, amongst others, that Albinos don’t eat salt, are good targets for money ritual, were conceived during sun hours, or are cursed by God, etc.
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These misleading myths constitute core part of the reasons the Lagos Albinism Awareness Society joined forces with the Lagos State Office for Disability Affairs, LASODA, in marking this year’s International Albinism Awareness Day (IAAD) under the theme, “strength beyond all odds”. Special activities were organized to create awareness and eliminate misconceptions and discrimination against Persons with Albinism in Lagos State. The event held at Adeyemi Bero Hall, Alausa, Ikeja on June 13.
At the event, the group launched an awareness campaign tagged “My skin, my pride” in which Persons with Albinism from different fields vocalized their thoughts to mark the day.
Folakemi Cole-Adeife, a consultant dermatologist and venerealogist at Lagos State University Teaching Hospital, College of Medicine noted that “with an estimated figure of over two million (2,000,000) people living with Albinism in Nigeria, Albinism is not a topic to be ignored but given due awareness.”
Okoye Meshack, a student, points out that people with Albinism in Nigeria suffer discrimination in a plethora of areas ranging from Education to Health care and employment .They also suffer mental health issues due to bullying and stigmatization because of their skin colour.
A teacher, Hope Isaac, added his voice to the campaign, pleading with the government to help people living with Albinism by providing free health care, free education, etc so they can have their standards of living enhanced.
Tolani ojuri, a businessman who complimented Persons with Albinism as fantastic people, urged Government and stakeholders to put their hands on deck to ensure that albinos are not discriminated against.
Akpalaba Ralph, an optometrist noted, “I will advise that the vision of the albino child be checked at a tender age. There should also be collaboration with the child’s teachers as such children often need extra magnification to see well. Alternatively, he or she should be seated in front of the class.
The LAAS chairman, and vice chairperson, JONAPWD Lagos chapter, Josephine Omolola, pleaded with the State Governor to attend to the plight of Persons with Albinism in Lagos State.
In an interview with Inclusive News Network, INN, Mr. Onasanya Mojeed, an Insurance Consultant, urged PWA to develop strength to withstand all challenges, stigmatisation and discrimination.
He also tasked the State Government to keep on creating awareness on Lagos State Special People’s Law while enforcing its implementation. By doing so, he said, the issues of challenges will fade after some time.
Oguntoye Oyewole, Director, Monitoring, Evaluation and Orientation unit of LASODA, had assured persons with Albinism that “Lagos State will continue to partner with, assist, and be with you to render the kind of service, you will need to be great in life.”
The event included eye and ear screening, as well as skin check tests for Persons with Albinism. A dermatologist was also on ground to offer medical advice.