A/HRC/37/57 majority of persons with albinism do not have access to, or are unable to afford, the necessary protective devices, whether for skin cancer prevention or to accommodate visual impairment.72 67. In this context and in accordance with international human rights law, States have the immediate obligation to ensure, at the very least, minimum essential levels of the right to health for persons with albinism, 73 to take steps towards the realization of that right 74 and to refrain from discrimination against persons with albinism.75 In that regard, States should prioritize health resources for the most poor and marginalized, even in the face of barriers, 76 and adopt or facilitate low-cost measures that would have an immediate impact on the health of persons with albinism, such as including sunscreen in the list of essential drugs and providing sun protection clothing and devices. 68. States should resort to international cooperation and external funding when resources are scarce. They should support the work of organizations and agencies developing and implementing programmes on the right to health of persons with albinism. In that regard, the Committee on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights recognizes that nonState actors — in addition to States, which are the primary duty-bearers — should also bear responsibility for the right to health. States parties should therefore provide an environment that facilitates the discharge of those responsibilities.77 69. Local governments can also play a pivotal role, as reported by the Source of the Nile Union of Persons with Albinism in Uganda, in which “some local governments in the Busoga subregion have started to include small budget allowances to support persons with albinism, and some of this allowance may be used to purchase sunscreen, although the allowances are not sufficient to meet total needs”. The complementary actions of national Governments, local governments, civil society and international organizations could fill the affordability gap.78 V. Best practices 70. There are several best practices worth highlighting as effective initiatives in guaranteeing the right to health of persons with albinism. They include innovative initiatives with minimal cost implications, which promise potential for scaling-up and replication. A. Country strategies The Fiji Albinism Project 71. The Fiji Albinism Project is an initiative — initially undertaken by civil society that later involved government institutions — which developed a national response to the needs of persons with albinism. The project emerged from the first Fiji Albinism Workshop, held at the Fiji School for the Blind in 2014. The project’s steering committee was formed within the Ministry of Health. The project subsequently organized the first Fiji Albinism Awareness Symposium in 2015. 72. Several barriers affecting the lives of persons with albinism in Fiji were identified during the symposium, including: lack of accurate demographic national data on persons with albinism; limited understanding of albinism in the health and education sectors; 72 73 74 75 76 77 78 Such as in Mwanza, United Republic of Tanzania, as reported by the Mwanza Albino Society. Committee on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights, general comment No. 14, para. 43. Ibid., para. 30. Ibid., para. 43. A/72/169, para. 19. General comment No. 14, para. 42. Ibid. 15