A/HRC/37/57
Nigeria
79.
In 2012, the Government of Nigeria, under the auspices of its Ministry of Education,
adopted a national policy on albinism. The policy outlines the main health challenges faced
by persons with albinism, including recommendations on the prevention and treatment of
skin cancer. 85 The policy is holistic and covers several areas of work, including the
promotion of self-esteem and a feeling of belonging, along with access to health and the
promotion of free ophthalmological and dermatological services.
80.
To that end, the policy establishes a target, to be achieved by 2020, of a 50 per cent
improvement in accessing qualitative and affordable health and social services by persons
with albinism. The interventions outlined in the policy will provide basic information and
medical services for the prevention of visio-dermal health issues related to albinism;
provide counselling and psychosocial services for persons with albinism by health systems
stakeholders in public and private sectors; secure free, accessible qualitative treatment and
rehabilitation of persons with albinism with skin cancer, sunburn and low vision.
81.
The Ministry of Health, in partnership with the National Hospital in Abuja and the
Albino Foundation, coordinate a project on free skin cancer treatment, which provides
treatments that have a direct impact on avoiding premature deaths. According to the Albino
Foundation, free medical treatment has been provided to over 4,000 persons with albinism
who have skin cancer. 86 Today, the main challenges of the project are inadequate
integration or mainstreaming in the health sector, funding and access to treatment, as the
travel costs to Abuja remain prohibitive for most and subsidies by the Albino Foundation in
this regard are limited.
United Republic of Tanzania and Malawi
82.
In the United Republic of Tanzania and Malawi, the mobile clinics specifically
attending to persons with albinism who live in non-urban centres have had a highly positive
impact on skin cancer prevention and treatment, as well as reasonable accommodation for
visual impairment.
83.
In the United Republic of Tanzania, the Regional Dermatology Training Centre at
the Kilimanjaro Christian Medical Centre has developed a comprehensive care programme
for persons with albinism. The programme includes the registration and periodical health
inspection of persons with albinism in different regions of the country; the provision of free
dermatological services; education and awareness-raising on the importance of sun
protection; and distribution of sun protection materials. In conjunction with Kilimanjaro
Sunscreen (KiliSun) and Standing Voice, it covers 10 regions and reaches 2,000 persons
with albinism.
84.
Furthermore, the programme produces the locally made sunscreen, Kilimanjaro Sun
Care or KiliSun, at the Kilimanjaro Sunscreen Production Unit. The unit produces and
ensures a free supply of KiliSun, promotes the use of local resources and seeks to avoid
reliance on external donations of commercial sun protection products.
85.
This production of sunscreen responds to the realities and needs of persons with
albinism, following a bottom-up approach. It offers a sun protection factor of at least 30 and
protection against ultraviolet A and B radiation. The unit, in collaboration with health
workers, community dermatologists and civil society, including the Tanzania Albinism
Society and Standing Voice, ensure the quality of distribution, including assessment and
education on the use of sunscreen.87
86.
Moreover, in 2018, the Association of Persons with Albinism in Malawi will launch
its first sunscreen pilot production in nine districts, in anticipation of the launch of a fullscale production unit in 2019 or 2020. This initiative is coordinated with the Government,
United Nations agencies and KiliSun, and represents direct follow-up to the
85
86
87
National policy on Albinism.
See albinofoundation.org.
Information received from KiliSun.
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