Online Reporter
Felistas Tavarera
GLOBAL Aid Mission, a non-profit organisation, has reaffirmed its commitment to supporting individuals with albinism and raising awareness about their plight, particularly with regards to skin cancer.
The mission’s CEO, Mrs Easter Chasi, told guests who gathered in Harare recently to commemorate International Albinism Awareness Day that people with albinism face unique challenges, particularly with regards to skin cancer, due to their limited or lack of melanin.
“It is essential to empower individuals with albinism to embrace their identity and find strength in who they are,” she said.
“By coming together, we can create a more inclusive and supportive community for people living with albinism. Don’t let stigma and segregation hold you back, there are opportunities out there for people with albinism to thrive.
“We encourage people with albinism to live their best lives, pursue their passions, and never give up on their goals. You are not limited by your albinism; you are capable of achieving greatness.”
Anesu Gumbo, a nurse with Global Aid Mission, has been working with individuals with albinism since 2018, witnessing numerous cases of skin cancer among her patients.
She shared a poignant experience of a woman who suffered from a severe sore that developed into a significant wound over two years, necessitating daily dressings.
“I remember vividly this lady whom I used to dress, I think for almost two years she had a sore which then developed to become a big hole,” she said.
The financial burden of these dressings, she said, which can cost between US$10 to US$15 daily, poses a significant challenge for many individuals with albinism, who often cannot afford such expenses.
She said Global Aid Mission addresses this issue by providing free daily dressings, including all necessary consumables and nursing services.
“At Global Aid Mission, we offer them free daily dressings, including the consumables, the services, and the work by the nurse. We encourage people with albinism to take care of themselves and try by all means to avoid direct exposure to sunlight.
“They should always wear sun hats and also they should always put on sunscreen lotion but the challenge is the lotion is quite expensive for most of them, it ranges from around US$10 to US$15 in pharmacies and we sometimes donate to them.”
Tariro Mazambani, who is living with albinism, highlighted some of the challenges they face due to their condition.
“At home, we are not accepted by some of our relatives and at school some children laugh at and segregate us because we have poor eyesight and problems with our skin,” she said.
“Some of the children don’t want to sit next to us. We have to teach them how to live with people with albinism.”
