At least 37 persons with Albinism in Narok counties have received free cancer screening as the world commemorates International Albinism Awareness week.
Narok Albinism Association Chairperson Reuben Mpatiany said the screening exercise was part of the awareness campaign that the association is carrying out to sensitise the members of the public so as to eradicate stigmatisation of families with kins with albinism.
This year’s theme is ‘Protect our skin, preserve our lives,’ which highlights the urgent need for awareness creation and access to essential healthcare for persons with albinism.
Mpatiany emphasised the need for skin screening, saying albinos face threats of skin cancer, adding early detection and treatment is one way of ensuring they live a long, healthy life.
Those that volunteered for screening were given free sunscreen lotions, moisturisers and sun lip balms. They were also cancelled on the daily proper use and importance of photoprotection.
Mpatiany called on the County government to employ three dermatologists in the county, saying they are forced to hire a dermatologist from Bomet county to do the screening.
“Most people with albinism are in Emurua Dikir, Kilgoris and Narok West Sub County. We need three dermatologists to be stationed in Emurua Dikir and Kilgoris level four hospitals and another one at the Narok County Referral hospital,” he continued.
The exercise was sponsored by the National Council for People with Disabilities (NCPWD), who called on parents and guardians of persons with albinism to register them with the organisation so as to benefit from free protective gear from the government.
The 2019 census shows that there were 86 persons with albinism in the county yet only 50 were registered with the NCPWD.
The Narok NCPWD Coordinator Julius Ntayia said most of the registered members are children and encouraged every family with a person with albinism to register so that they can get available support from the government and other well-wishers.
“The sunscreen lotion, sunhats and sunglasses given by the government are very expensive to purchase. The gears are necessary because they protect us from direct sunlight and prevent a person from getting skin cancer, which can easily lead to death,” he explained.
Albinism is an inherited condition that leads to someone having very light skin, hair, and eyes. It happens because they have less melanin than usual in their body. Melanin gives skin, hair, and eyes their colour.
People with albinism have a reduced amount of melanin, or no melanin at all. This can affect their colouring and their eyesight.
People with albinism often have white or very light blonde hair, although some have brown or red hair. The exact colour depends on how much melanin their body produces.
International Albinism Awareness week is marked every year with the aim of informing the public on the need to end the abuse of albinos.
By Ann Salaton
