By Laraba MUREY
The founder of Albino Foundation, Jake Epelle, has said 98% of skin cancer cases and deaths recorded in the community of persons living with albinism are preventable.
He made this declaration during the commemoration of the National Albinism Day with the theme: “Save Our Souls from Skin Cancer – Patients with Albinism.”
He appealed to the federal government to bring back the free skin cancer treatment that the group was receiving in previous administrations.
Epelle attributed the increase of skin cancer among albinos to lack of awareness on how to protect themselves from sun and other vices.
He said it was a campaign that improved the lives of persons with albinism, noting that an average of three albinos die monthly due to lack of treatment.
He said, “We are using this opportunity and platform to urge the Federal Government to reinstate the free treatment that had been going on which the government of President Olusegun Obasanjo started.
“The intervention continued through the administration of late President Musa Yar’Adua. It was first bankrolled in 2013 by the Federal Ministry of Finance Service-Wide vote.
“The arrangement had earmarked and spent N17.8 million alongside other useful resources on this effort. The preceding government took it upon themselves to continue the process.
“The administration of President Muhammadu Buhari initially implemented the free skin cancer programme, but it was truncated and the reason given was because of paucity of funds,’’
According to him, “it’s also important to mention here that there are other aspects of our agitation are the Sun Smart Campaign, that campaign that goes to the community of persons with albinism and teaches them how to properly prevent themselves from being scarred by the sun. 98% reason why skin cancer plagues the community of persons with albinism is the sun “
Similarly, Epelle disclosed that Persons with Disabilities, PWDs, now have an extended examination time and arrangement and should indicate to the examiners so that the can benefit.
“JAMB has made provision for PWA because of our visual impairment.
“If you are a PWA and you are taking JAMB this weekend, go to the invigilator and let the person know that you are a PWA.
“That way, you can enjoy a special time,’’ he said.