There are over 4million persons with albinism(PWA) in Nigeria who by dint of nature, struggle with one or more forms of diseases including the dreaded skin cancer because of the fact that in Sub-Sahara Africa, PWA are at risk of developing squamous cell carcinoma of sun-exposed skin. The scourge of skin cancer ravaging the community of PWA is not only threatening but functionally decimating the lives of Nigerians who have albinism as statistics show that 3PWA die from it every month.
This concern from the skin cancer will dominate conversation as International Albinism Awareness celebration which will take place at Uyo, Akwaibom State Capital on Monday, 13th June, 2022.
Jake Epelle, National President, Albinism Association of Nigeria (AAN) in a press conference on Thursday in Abuja informed the newsmen that AAN would be celebrating this year’s International Albinism Awareness Day at Uyo, Capital of Akwaibom State and the conversations would be focusing on awareness about Skin Cancer which posed as the greatest challenge faced by persons with albinism in Nigeria.
He said that June 13th is a day set aside by United Nations to create awareness about albinism and challenges associated with it.
He pleaded that federal government reviews and reinstate the free skin cancer treatment and also stated that he is hopeful that before Monday which is the day for the celebration of Albinism Day, Federal Government will announce the reinstatement of free skin cancer treatment because the Executive Secretary, National Commission of Persons with Disabilities (NCPWD), Mr. James Lalu has been engaging the authority on the matter.
Recalled that in 2007, TAF initiated a Public-Private-Partnership with Obasanjo Administration during which FG launched a Skin Cancer Intervention for PWA at the National Hospital and other designated States and Private Hospitals. Although, the intervention continued through the regime of Late President Musa Yar’adua, it was first bankrolled in 2013 by the Federal Ministry of Finance Service-wide vote. The intervention was earmarked and expended 17.8 Million Naria alongside other useful resources. Several PWA were treated through the intervention but unfortunately, the intervention was discontinued under the current administration of President Buhari maybe because of other overriding interests.
Jake Epelle called on FG to include skin cancer among the Cancer Health Fund which already captured breast, cervical and prostate cancers, a laudable program initiated by President being championed by Federal Ministry of Health who voted 1 billion naira for the cancer care.
He also want the government to galvanize local and international support for possible collaboration and funding support for skin cancer for PWA. Special attention may be placed on the UNAID who AAN have reached out to and they are ready to extend arm of fellowship in this regard.
He said that this year’s event will be great because it has the backing of National Commission for Persons With Disabilities with a support that amount to cash donation of 2million naira and the Executive Secretary, James Lalu would be present at the event at Uyo.
He also said that they are expectant of the support of the governor of Akwaibom State who is the host and Sightsavers have already branded T-Shirt and Caps as their support for the event.
Mr. Jake Epelle who is also the founder and CEO of The Albino Foundation, said that they are expecting Vice President of Federal Republic of Nigeria, Prof Yemi Osinbanjo to grace the occasion alongside Gov Emmanuel Udom, Akwaibom, Pastor Ben Akabueze who is also a person with albinism, EU representative, and many others.
It would be a forum to bring together persons with albinism across the country to learn more about themselves and also create awareness about the challenges faced by persons with albinism in Nigeria.
