The Sunday News
Judith Phiri, Sunday News Reporter
ZIMBABWE has recorded a significant rise in deaths of people living with albinism because of skin cancer as many are unable to afford sunscreen lotions used to protect their skin from the harmful effects of the sun.
In an interview, National Disability Board chairperson Mrs Mercy Maunganidze-Chimanga who is also the national director for Zimbabwe Albino Association (Zimas) said about 41 deaths were recorded from last year to date, an increase from the 17 deaths recorded in 2017.
“Of the reported cases about 37 people living with albinism passed away last year and this year we are currently at four, what more of the cases that were not reported to our offices. People with albinism lack melanin, which is the pigment that protects from sun rays, which causes sun burns, if continuously acquired might graduate into skin cancer which then results in deaths,” said Mrs Maunganidze-Chimanga.
She said the deaths were likely to rise due to the high costs of acquiring sunscreen lotions used to protect the skin.
“The sunscreen lotions are very expensive but they are the essential everyday needs of people living with albinism.
“The creams are getting more and more expensive, and the prices depend with the pharmacy or the stock whether it’s the old one which would be at a less price or the new stock which tends to be expensive.
“I could say currently the prices range between $50 to $100. I use about three tubes of 200ml of sunscreen lotion per month but it also depends with the weather. In winter we use less and more in summer because the more the heat the more you apply. But how many people living with albinism can afford such high prices? The cases are currently becoming worse because of the economic situation. If I can’t afford mealie-meal, soap and sugar which are basic commodities what more of the sunscreen lotions. People would prefer to fill their stomachs first before they even look at acquiring the lotions whose prices have been going up,” she said.
Mrs Maunganidze-Chimanga also noted that people living with albinism also tend to face other challenges.
“As individuals we are also born short-sighted and we need spectacles which are meant to protect the eyes from the sun rays. The skin cancer and eye treatment are also expensive.
“Women and children with albinism are also prone to abuse due to some myths associated with their skin colour. This becomes hard for them to also get jobs. We have realised that people are still far from accepting albinism as it is,” said Mrs Maunganidze-Chimanga.
She highlighted that her organisation was also financial constrained among other challenges.
“As an organisation we are not getting enough funding for most of our rentals, activities and human resources as most of the things are done voluntarily. We are appealing for assistance so that the organisation keeps running and we don’t shut the doors to those with albinism that might need our help.
“We are also appealing to the Government to consider making sunscreen lotions essential drugs like ARV so that those with albinism can acquire for free and protect themselves from skin cancer,” she said.
Zimas is a national organisation that was formed in 1996 to eliminate traditional-based stigma, especially from communities.
Globally cancer is the third leading cause of death and 12 million new cancer cases and 7,6 million cancer related deaths were recorded worldwide in 2008. These figures are projected to increase to 26 million cases and 17 million deaths annually by 2030.
