As Nigeria gets to mark the 2022 World Albinism Day, June 13, the Association of Persons with Albinism, APA, has lamented increase in deaths of Persons with Albinism, PWA, as a result of skin cancer.
The group is seeking the intervention of President Muhammadu Buhari in reviving programs that will better the lives of the over 4 million PWAs in the country.
The president, Albinism Association of Nigeria, Jake Epelle, announced that the theme for the year, “United In Our Voice Heard” focuses on creating preventive campaigns while seeking assistance for treatment of skin cancer disease.
According to Epelle, “There are about 4 million PWAs currently in the country who by dint of nature, struggle with one or more forms of diseases including the dreaded skin cancer.
“We plead with Mr President, to review the previous administration’s skin cancer intervention program for PWA with the aim of setting up the requisite policy instruments that will make it functional and sustainable once more, so as to help assuage the plights of PWA in the country;
“To use his good office to kindly approve the inclusion of skin cancer care to the scope of the current Cancer Health Fund which only takes care of breast, cervical and prostate cancer under your leadership;
“To galvanize local and international support for possible collaboration and funding support for skin cancer for PWA. Special attention may be placed on the United Nations Aid (UNAID) who we have spoken to, and are ready to extend arm of fellowship in this regard.”
Furthermore, “This scourge of skin cancer ravaging the community of PWA is not only life threatening but functionally decimating the lives of Nigerians who have albinism as statistics show that about 3 PWA die from it every month.”
He stressed that “In 2007 we initiated public-private-partnership with the Obasanjo administration during which the government launched a skin cancer intervention for PWA at the National Hospital and other designated states and private hospitals.
“Although this intervention continued through the regime of former 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 expended N17.8 million alongside other useful resources for this effort. Over 5, 000 Nigerians with albinism got treated as a result of this opportunity.
“However, this milestone was seemingly discontinued under the current administration of President Muhammadu Buhari maybe because of other overriding interests.”
Abuja Inquirer