Online Reporter
Patrick Chitumba
THERE were smiles all around in Gokwe North over the weekend as 33 people with albinism received free sunscreen packages to help protect their skin during the harsh summer months.
The sunscreen was produced by a local manufacturer that has recently begun making products specifically designed for individuals with albinism.
The donation was handed over to the Integration of People with Albinism Organisation in Zimbabwe (IPAOZ) during a brief ceremony held at Gokwe Centre on Sunday.
Speaking at the event, Mr James Mudoti, who represented IPAOZ, highlighted the ongoing difficulties faced by people with albinism in Zimbabwe. He emphasised the importance of regular access to high-quality sunscreen, given the group’s heightened risk of developing skin cancer due to a lack of melanin.
One of the recipients, nine-year-old Tanaka Chirikumuromo, expressed her appreciation for the donation, noting the vital role sunscreen plays in their lives.
“Sunscreen is crucial for us people with albinism because we lack the melanin pigment, which leaves our skin highly vulnerable to ultraviolet (UV) radiation. This puts us at increased risk of severe sunburns and even skin cancer. So we are really grateful for this gesture,” she said.
Sibongile Gumbochuma (26) explained how much sunscreen she typically uses, saying that during the summer, she requires at least two 250ml containers, while winter conditions allow her to get by with just one.
“With this delicate skin comes the cost of taking care of it, and many of us in rural areas simply can’t afford sunscreen regularly. So we’re very happy to have received these,” she said.
Medical professionals consider broad-spectrum sunscreen to be an essential product for individuals with albinism, as it provides a necessary barrier against harmful UV rays. Access to such products, especially in rural areas, is increasingly seen as a public health priority.
A representative from the manufacturer said they began local production of SPF 50+ sunscreen on 1 September. They noted that while donations of commercial sunscreen had been made in the past, high retail prices, sometimes as much as US$20 per 250ml container, made it inaccessible to many who need it most.
“This is a basic necessity for people with albinism, not a luxury,” they said. “Without it, they are at real risk of sunburn, which in many cases leads to skin cancer.”
