The Anambra State Albinism Association (ASAA), a conglomerate of people living with albinism, Monday, sought support of Governor Chukwuma Soludo and others to rescue members from cancer, skin diseases, eye problems and related issues.
The chairman of ASAA, Mr Ben Orizu, who made the appeal in Awka, the Anambra state capital, during the launch of a medical trust fund with a target of N24 million, stated that the association had lost not less than four members due to skin cancers and lack of special care.
The late members, according to Orizu, were Mr Enemuo Ifeanyi, who died at the age of 27 in 2021, Mr Peter Raymond, 25, who died in 2022, Ms Ekemezie Precious, 24, who died in 2023 and Ms Abuone Ijeoma, 46, who died in 2024.
He said many were currently down with different ailments and diseases.
He stated further that the trust fund would assist in providing them with eye care services, medical prescription, protective clothing and accessories, dermatological services, educating, managing and treating those suffering of cancer, including Mr Joseph Okoye currently seeking N1.5 million for chemotherapy.
Other speakers, including the director, Centre for Disability and Special Needs Research – CENDASNER office, Professor Emeka Obiozor, and Anambra state chairman of the Joint National Association of Persons with Disabilities (JONAPWD), Comrade Ugochukwu Okeke, urged the government support towards ending all forms of stigmatisation against individuals with albinism.
They lamented that people with albinism often face significant challenges, including visual impairment, increased risk of skin cancer and social stigmatisation because of lack of protective care against sun, and some of these could be corrected if the state government fully implements disability rights law, as well as make educational policies capable of addressing their needs.
