The Lagos State Office for Disability Affairs (LASODA) has sponsored the treatment of seven people with albinism for various cancer-related issues and also provided Efudix creams to the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital as preventive measures against skin cancers in Commemoration of World Cancer Day held recently.
The General Manager of LASODA, Mrs. Adenike Oyetunde-Lawal revealed this at a meeting with the Albinism Cluster group led by the Chairman of the Albinism Association of Nigeria (AAN), Mr. Tolani Ojuri, held at the Nigerian Educational Research and Development Council, Jibowu, on Saturday.
Mrs. Oyetunde-Lawal said that Persons with Albinism are susceptible to some skin diseases due to the sensitivity of their skin and as a result of exposure to too much sun.
She opines that it becomes mandatory to educate Persons with Albinism and their parents on the importance of taking adequate care of the skin and ensuring the protection of the skin against all forms of diseases. She called on the general public to join hands with the government to ensure the protection and well-being of Persons with Albinism.
In her words, “Our efforts should be more of preventive than curative; cancer is not a joke, whether you are a Person with Disability or not, whenever you come across Person with Albinism not properly covered, please interrogate them, question them; ask them where their umbrellas are?”.
“Ask them if they use their sunscreen regularly. Lend your voice towards ensuring that everyone is educated on the need to prioritise adequate skin protection as a preventive measure against all types of skin diseases. I urge parents of children with albinism to always ensure their skin is covered when they are outdoors”, she added.
The General Manager, while handing over Umbrellas, Protective Hats and Sunscreen tubes of 100 and 40 ml, to the Chairman of the Albinism Association of Nigeria, Mr. Tolani Ojuri, urged Persons with Albinism to desist from self-medication which can even lead to more severe complications, enjoining them to rather report to hospitals whenever they notice any issues with their skin for prompt attention.
“Please do not self-medicate, the nature of your skin and your realities are peculiar. If you self medicate it can cause a lot more pain for not only yourself but your loved ones”, she opined
Responding, Mr. Tolani Ojuri, on behalf of the Association, appreciated the Lagos State Government and LASODA for their contributions to the well-being of Persons with Albinism and promised to ensure even distribution of the donated items to the members.
Dignitaries present at the meeting are the Senior Special Adviser to the Governor on Health, Dr. Oluwatoni Adeyemi; Consultant Dermatologist, Lagos State University Teaching Hospital, Dr. Folakemi Cole-Adeife; Director, Medical Rehabilitation, Aids and Appliances, Lagos State Office for Disability Affairs, Mrs. Eniola Olukanni-Abokhai among others.
Albinism is a genetic condition characterised by a lack of pigmentation in the body, it affects the production of melanin, the pigment that colours skin, hair and eyes. It is a lifelong condition.
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