Online Reporter
Disabilities Issues
Dr Christine Peta
ALBINISM is a genetic condition characterised by lack of melanin (the pigment responsible for colouring the skin, hair and eyes).
With exposure to the sun, some persons with albinism may develop freckles or moles and sunburn.
Hair colour can range from very white to brown. People of African or Asian descent who have albinism may have hair colour that is yellow, red or brown.
Hair colour may darken by early adulthood. The hair may become stained from contact with minerals in water and the environment, making it appear darker with age.
Eyelashes and eyebrows are often pale. Eye colour can range from very light blue to brown, and may change with age.
With albinism, the coloured parts of the eyes, called the irises, usually do not have enough pigment.
This allows light to shine through the irises. Additionally, this makes the eyes extremely sensitive to bright light.
Because of this, very light-coloured eyes may appear red in some cases.
The Department of Disability Affairs in the Ministry of Public Service, Labour and Social Welfare takes cognisance of the controversy surrounding albinism worldwide.
Some people argue that albinism is a disability while others say it is not.
Nonetheless, Zimbabwe’s National Disability Policy clearly acknowledges albinism as a disability.
The Government is making all efforts to ensure that persons with albinism, including children, are not left out in initiatives that are targeted at enhancing the wellbeing of persons with disabilities. These include all relevant social protection programmes.
The absence of melanin in the eyes and skin of persons with albinism presents a number of challenges, including eyesight and skin problems that arise when the children are exposed to direct natural sunlight.
Sunscreen, which is a necessity for children and adults with albinism, has generally been left out in programmes that address the issue of healthcare and assistive devices for persons with disabilities.
The inclusion of sunscreen in procurement processes for essential medicines and essential assistive devices is of utmost importance.
Section 3.13 of the National Disability Policy addresses the issue of creating local industrial hubs, where sunscreens can be manufactured, in collaboration with local medical practitioners.
This will enable persons with albinism and their families to access such lotions locally and at a lower cost, as opposed to buying imported ones.
The Government realises that sunscreen is a necessity to a person with albinism in the same way a wheelchair is essential to a person with physical disability.
It also encourages persons with albinism, including children with this condition, to wear wide-breamed hats, breathable long-sleeved shirts and blouses with high collars, long trousers and long skirts so that the greater part of their skin is protected from direct sunlight.
The Department of Disability Affairs also partners the Ministry of Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services to raise awareness on the rights of persons with albinism.
This enables people to understand that there is nothing wrong with a person with albinism; we are all human beings, created in the image of God.
A healthcare provider may notice lack of colour in the hair or skin, which affects the eyelashes and eyebrows, soon after the birth of a child. The healthcare worker is likely to order an eye examination and close monitoring of any changes in your child’s skin colour and vision.
If you observe signs of albinism in your baby, talk to your healthcare provider.
You should also contact the healthcare provider if your child with albinism experiences frequent nosebleeds, easy bruising or long-term infections.
These symptoms may suggest rare but serious hereditary conditions that include albinism.
Let us all join hands to promote the rights of persons with disabilities.
Dr Christine Peta is a disability, public health, policy, international development and research expert. She is the national director of disability affairs in Zimbabwe. She can be contacted on: developafrica2020 @gmail.com
