THE Albino network was recently launched in Zambia. Here, people living with albinism and others listen to speeches – Picture by COLLINS PHIRI.

By CHRISTINE CHISHA
ALBINOS in most African countries face stigmatisation, are discriminated against and often rejected by their families.
In some African cultures and traditions, albinism is a sign of bad luck in the family and as a result, albinos are ostracised from the family to avoid being ridiculed by the other members of the community.
In other more extreme cases, many have been killed and their bodies dismembered for ritual purposes. In Africa, some believe albinos possess magical powers.
Because they are ‘whites’ born of black parents, albinos face discrimination every day and struggle to find love.
For Martha Wampata, a single mother of Kanyama, she has a hard time to raise money to buy sunscreen creams for her two-year-old child.
“I am just a marketeer at Soweto market, I sell tomatoes and to raise KR100 to buy the cream is a big challenge,” she said.
The sunscreen lotion is usually imported and vital in the lives of persons with albinism.
Ms Wampata said her child is also on a strict diet, she cannot eat pork meat and sometimes they have little food to eat.
She said the biggest challenge is in the summer season because of the sun, the child develops sores and it disturbs her going to sell because there is no-one to help her look after the child.
Ms Wampata said a number of her relatives thinks she has bad luck that is why she gave birth to an albino.
It is against the background of stigmatisation and discrimination that albinos face that a network has been launched to help sensitise people that albinos are people who need equal treatment.
Albinism is a disorder in which the individual suffers from a complete or partial lack of the pigment in the skin.
When exposed to sunlight, the skin of an albino does not acquire a tan. Instead, it remains light and there is a greater risk of skin cancer.
People with albinism often have trouble with their eyesight. They may wear glasses or contact lenses to help correct problems like nearsightedness, farsightedness, or stigmatism.
Others might need eye surgery. Just as there are different degrees of albinism, there are also different levels of eye problems for a person who has the condition.
Newly launched Albinism Network national director Dickson Konkola  says his organisation will be working with the communities to raise awareness on the plight of albinos and help reduces the  stigma and discrimination they face.
Mr Konkola said people with albinism are just like anyone else, with the same lifespan and ability to reach their goals.
“Living with any medical condition during the teen years can be difficult, and albinism is no exception. Because the social scene can be more about fitting in than standing out, young people with albinism may face bullying or prejudice,” he said.
Mr Konkola thanked the PF government for working towards improving the welfare of the disabled, including albinos, on their agenda.
Mr Konkola said the commitment by the government will help improve the attention the albinos receive in public health institutions.
He appealed to Government to train more health personnel in yellow firm diagnosis for albinos and help in the provision of sunscreen creams.
Deputy Minister of Health Christopher Mulenga said it will include the provision of sunscreen creams for albinos in the private sector to make the cream affordable and accessible.
Mr Mulenga said albinos need special care and treatment through the provision of sunscreen in the public health institutions as they are susceptible to acquiring skin cancer.
“Albinism has far-reaching implications for our society, considering the health implications it has on the population and some of the health challenges such as blindness and low vision.
“This could only be managed with provision of information,” Mr Mulenga said.
The minister was speaking in Lusaka yesterday during the launch of the Albinism Initiative Network of Zambia last week.
Mr Mulenga said the Patriotic Front (PF) government is committed to improving the welfare of the poor, especially albinos, who continue to suffer the brunt of poverty in the nation today.
He said his ministry will continue to provide policy guideline and ensure that the welfare of all vulnerable groups, including albinos, is taken into consideration.
Mr Mulenga said one of the challenges in the heath sector is that of inadequate human resource which has a negative impact on the delivery of quality health services.
He said his ministry has put up plans to train health workers in order to provide specialised skin services.
Mr Mulenga urged members of the albinism network to work hard and co-operate with relevant line ministries to ensure the attainment of its objectives.
One objective of the network is to educate the Zambian public on albinism as well as to look into the well-being of the albinos.
Albinism is not a curse. It’s only a biological anomaly that does not affect a person’s emotions, abilities or intelligence. It affects only the colour of the skin. It is high time stigmatisation was put to a halt and allow albinos to have a normal life like everyone else.