In sub-Saharan Africa live 200.000 people with albinism with no education or access to the protection from the sun that they need. In addition to being discriminated against for their appearance and persecuted by the influence of violent superstitions, the main cause of their extreme vulnerability is the sun: skin cancer ends the life of 9 out of 10 people with albinism before reaching the age of 30.
Albinism in Africa
A LIFE EXPOSED TO THE SUN
Albinism is an unknown condition in many communities in sub-Saharan Africa. People with albinism are discriminated and have serious problems integrating in society.
Their situation of vulnerability condemns them to extreme poverty, forcing them to make a living with outdoor work, exposed for long hours to the intense tropical sun.
NO EDUCATION OR SENSITIZING
Most children have precancerous lesions. There are studies that confirm that only one in ten live past the age of 30, mainly due to skin cancer. Certain discriminatory attitudes on behalf of some health workers contribute to this high incidence of skin cancer among people with albinism.
The majority of health institutions do not educate on skincare when exposed to the sun, nor do they offer advice to families that have given birth to a child with albinism. Albinism is not included in health education programs, which causes a total absence of information about the condition among the population.
NO EDUCATION OR SENSITIZING
Most children have precancerous lesions. There are studies that confirm that only one in ten live past the age of 30, mainly due to skin cancer. Certain discriminatory attitudes on behalf of some health workers contribute to this high incidence of skin cancer among people with albinism.
The majority of health institutions do not educate on skincare when exposed to the sun, nor do they offer advice to families that have given birth to a child with albinism. Albinism is not included in health education programs, which causes a total absence of information about the disease among the population.
NO ACCESS TO SUN CREAMS OR BASIC CARE
There is very low access to sun creams and when there is, the distribution channels are inefficient and centralized in referral hospitals to which only privileged people have access.
The creams are often of low quality and their delivery is not accompanied by education. Travels to collect the sun creams are expensive, dangerous, long and ineffective, because after the trip is completed, it is often discovered that there are no stocks left.
This crisis is completely preventable. With awareness and education towards the creation of more inclusive societies and basic measures of sun protection, no person with albinism should die as a result of their condition.