adminMary Mutamiri
ALBINISM organisations reckon continuous medical research on whether those with skin cancers and eye cataracts are more vulnerable to ozone layer depletion.
The rise in high temperatures and climate change on a daily basis is putting the lives of people living with albinism at risk when it comes to the issues of vulnerability to skin cancers.
In an interview with H-Metro, Bruce Nyuni, the executive director of Albino Trust of Zimbabwe, said people living with albinism were at the receiving end, as far as issues to do with ozone layer depletion were concerned.
“Even if we have some sunscreen lotions we might be using to protect ourselves from radiation and skin cancers, we are living in Africa where research probably takes time to be done, especially medical research, which informs the impact of the use of sunscreen lotions
“It actually leaves a lot to be desired because sometimes we will be relying on research that was made, maybe 10 years ago, to inform us about the levels, and effectiveness, of sunscreen lotions, especially the sun protection factor namely SPF.
“This will, obviously, not be accurate because the thing was done 10 years ago so, as such, it means that we will not be in a position to respond to the current needs.”
Speaking about the issues to do with sunscreen lotions, Nyuni revealed that, as organisations, they were facing challenges of getting accurate statistics.
“Sunscreen lotions are very expensive and not everyone can afford them and, as organisations, we need to create awareness on safe care as well as ensure that they get access to services like cancer prevention treatment care.
“It’s unfortunate that we don’t have accurate statistics of how many need to be assisted because the system that we have is manual, we use manual registers and even if we computerise, they are still not accurate.
“Cases decrease and increase on a daily basis, we are losing people every day due to skin cancers and also people are born every day,” said Nyuni.
However, Nyuni urged people to avoid gas emissions and everything that causes ozone layer depletion which has more effect on people living with albinism.
“Apart from calling for continuous research, and innovation, when it comes to sunscreen lotions that match the current affairs to do with skin cancers, we also call and amplify the voices for everyone to reduce gas emissions so that we protect our ozone layer.
“Apart from our skin being affected by ozone layer depletion, it even goes down to the livelihoods of those who support us, especially those in agriculture, you would see that climate change is part of those things and vulnerability increases.
“The issue of ozone layer depletion should be treated as a matter of urgency, especially when it comes to medication and preventative measures at all levels, because people with albinism are everywhere in the world.”
Mathew Masinge
Online Reporter