Upsurge In Skin Cancer Cases Among Persons With Albinism (Pwas) In Nigeria: Clarifications On TAF’s Past And Ongoing Efforts
The Albino Foundation Public Notice
The Albino Foundation (TAF) held a Press Conference on Thursday 24th March 2022 to clarify the foundation’s past and ongoing efforts for Persons with Albinism (PWA). The press conference was held at the head office in F.C.T – Abuja.
Mr Jake Epelle, CEO/ Founder of The Albino Foundation, showed the results of the PWAs who participated in the free skin cancer treatment; A scheme the foundation is extremely proud of. It was secured during the administration of former President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Olusegun Obasanjo.
This scheme was funded by the government through the disbursement of funds by the Federal Ministry of Finance to the six (6) designated hospitals in Nigeria’s geo-political zones (especially the National Hospital, Abuja). No part of this arrangement involved any kind of financial benefit to TAF as an organisation. Also, TAF did not at any point receive funds before, during or after the scheme.
Mr Epelle mentioned that the foundation’s role was to recommend PWAs who were in need of treatment or check-ups to the designated hospitals. According to our archived records (although we have lost some due to a change of office in 2020), we have recommended over 5,000 PWAs to the designated hospitals. These recommendations were at no cost to the PWAs. These facts are verifiable and can be corroborated by the National Hospital, Abuja, the Federal Ministry of Finance, and other designated hospitals.
The press conference concluded with Mr Epelle appreciating the government and the designated hospitals for this initiative through which the lives of several PWAs were preserved while we are proud of our past efforts, we remain unrelenting in our efforts to revive the free skin cancer treatment scheme.
The Albino Foundation welcomes the public to check the facts from the sources we have cited and desist from their ill-advised actions and utterances.
