A/HRC/43/42 untreated skin cancer. 53 Their resulting isolation further restricts their access to health treatment for the cancer. 47. In other countries, the lack of availability of health insurance coverage for albinismrelated health conditions or products, or the cost of such insurance, pose additional barriers.54 Submissions from Argentina and Paraguay highlighted the high costs of adaptive devices and sunscreen, which makes them unaffordable for a significant number of mothers of children with albinism. 48. Many mothers around the world who have children with albinism rarely have access to specialists who have information on the condition. Therefore, the early health intervention crucial to their child’s development is rarely available to them. 55 Thus, mothers of babies and young children do not often have the necessary information on how to take care of their child with albinism, including information on vision impairment and measures to protect them from skin cancer.56 This can lead to the development of skin cancer that could have been easily prevented. Moreover, the lack of adequate health information on albinism has also led to distress, depression and self-blame among mothers of children with albinism. Mothers reportedly suffer from postnatal depression after giving birth to a child with albinism and are not adequately informed about their rights to available services for the child and the necessary psychosocial care and support.57 49. Sometimes, owing to their limited understanding of albinism, health professionals give parents of children with albinism incorrect information. 58 A submission received from Turkey indicates that some health professionals have erroneously told parents that their baby with albinism would never be able to see and that they cannot leave the house because of potential sun damage. 59 A submission from Mexico, among others, also noted that some mothers of babies with albinism have been told that the condition would result in total blindness, which is not usually the case. 50. To compensate for the lack of support in national health systems, several nongovernmental organizations around the world60 provide support to new parents of children with albinism. Such work should be increasingly supported by States and development partners. 4. Sexual and reproductive health 51. Civil society organizations in several countries reported that women and girls with albinism have limited or no access to sexual and reproductive health services. Reasons provided include stigma and discrimination from health-care providers.61 52. Access to maternal health care is another challenge in some countries. Midwives, who are often the first contact with babies with albinism when they are born, often lack the knowledge to give sound advice to concerned parents. 62 In some cases, health professionals repeat prevailing myths about albinism or give parents erroneous information. This discourages mothers of children with albinism from seeking services, including for their sexual and reproductive health. 53 54 55 56 57 58 59 60 61 62 10 Submission from Guinea. Submissions from Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Eswatini, Ghana, Kenya, Mali, Mozambique, Nigeria, South Africa, United Republic of Tanzania, Uganda and Zimbabwe. Submissions from Angola, Burkina Faso, Ghana, Japan, Kenya, Mozambique, Uganda and Zimbabwe. Submissions from Eswatini, Kenya, Mozambique, Nigeria, Somalia and United Republic of Tanzania. Submission from Eswatini. Submissions from Argentina, Colombia and Paraguay. Submission from Turkey. Submission from New Zealand (Albinism Trust). See also www.albinism.org/information-forparents-grandparents-and-caregivers/. Submissions from Ghana, Kenya, Japan, Jordan, Mali, Slovenia (Government), Uganda and United Republic of Tanzania. Submission from Kenya.