Launch of Persons with Albinism Support Programme draws near

Preliminary planning for the launch of the National Persons with Albinism Support Programme, is now in final stages, signaling the possibility that the programme may be officially launched in the country any time from the month of September 2013.

According to Assistant Director, Social Development in the Ministry of Labour Social Security and Services Mr. Peter Musakhi, preparation of the list of potential beneficiaries is currently in progress at the National Council for Persons With Disabilities (NCPWD), based on data collected during the nationwide targeting exercise which has been going on since June this year.

In an interview with the Social Protection Secretariat Monthly Bulletin, Mr. Musakhi said that samples of the lotions have already been received and approved as per specifications provided by the Ministry of Health and the Pharmacy and Poisons Board. So far, two thousand, four hundred (2,400, ) persons with Albinism have been registered and the exercise is still going on, noted Mr. Musakhi.

Another key activity set to be undertaken before the launch of the programme is the induction of government health providers who will be involved in dispensing the lotions to beneficiaries.

Under this programme, persons with albinism will receive a bottle of sunscreen lotion every month delivered through health centres across the country.

The government aims to reduce chances of skin cancer among persons with albinism through the provision of the sunscreen lotions as well as through public education and awareness campaigns aimed to address ignorance on albinism and the consequent stigmatization of persons with the condition.

The programme falls under the National Council for Persons With Disabilities and will be operationalized in collaboration with the Department of Social Development in the Ministry of Labour, Social Security and Services and the Ministry of Health.