The Sunday News
Thobekile Khumalo, Sunday News Reporter
THE Zimbabwe Albino Mission Trust (ZAMT) has called on the authorities to subsidise the prices of sunscreen lotions used to protect their skin from the harmful effects of the sun as they are now beyond the reach of the majority of their members.
The Trust held a workshop in Bulawayo recently where it was revealed that a tube of the lotion now costs an average of US$57 which is expensive for most people living with albinism.
“The Government should work on reducing prices of sunscreen lotions for people with albinism because most of us cannot afford to buy the tube after every two weeks.
“For me it only lasts that long,” said ZAMT president Mr Terrence Ngwenya.
People with albinism face a lot of challenges, among them risking developing cancer if they fail to access the lotions.
Speaking at the workshop Wesley Taylor Optomerists eye specialist Dr John Aziaku said there were other methods people living with albinism must take note of to ensure they are not exposed to the sun.
“People with albinism should know that their eyes are very sensitive to the sun and in a case whereby one cannot afford spectacles the person should avoid being in the sun specifically from 11am to 2pm when the sun would be very hot,” said Dr Aziaku.
He said acquiring spectacles might be expensive but urged people with albinism to at least constantly have an eye check-up.
“Skin and eye care should not only begin when one is going out but it has to be routine.”
Founder of a local non-governmental organisation, Dads of Hope Foundation Mr Kudakwashe Taruvinga said parents with children with albinism should be supportive of their children.
“Parents should be supportive and proud of their children living with albinism because it does not disadvantage anyone but leaves everyone with the same opportunities,” he said.
Mr Taruvinga said children will feel confident if they know that their families are supportive.
