14 Jun 2021

The society has the responsibility to remove barriers faced by people living with albinism, says Maun East area MP, Mr Goretetse Kekgonegile.

Speaking during International Albinism Day organised by Maun Administrative Authority in partnership with Tshimologo Association for Albinism, Mr Kekgonegile urged the public to guard against stigmatising people living with albinism.

He said the theme; Strength Beyond All Odds was relevant as it called for all to introspect and ensure social inclusion of people with albanism. 

In addition, he said the theme also challenged parents, leaders, organisations and the public to see if indeed they had the strength beyond all odds. 

He said there was need to also look at policies, laws and programmes to see if they catered for people living with albanism.

Such, Mr Kekgonegile said was critical because in other countries, people living with albinism were stigmitised and urged locals to treat them with respect and love.

People with albinism, he said, deserved equal treatment such as the right to health, education and economic empowerment.

Furthermore, he noted that currently government was providing vaccination for COVID-19 and vulnerable groups , but those with albinism were not included in the priority list.

Mr Kekgonegile also urged people with albinism to step up and take advantage of the stakeholders’ support as an inspiration and speak out for their rights.

He also urged them to participate in the upcoming constitutional review and speak out for their social and economic inclusion.

The executive director of Thuso Rehabilitation Centre (TRC), Mr Sahai Buka urged the public to change their perception of people with albinism and give them the respect they deserved.

At the moment, he said they could not participate in community activities because of societal perception.

Albinism, he said, was a genetic condition caused by deficit in melanin, a substance in the body that helps to absorb radiation from the sun, adding that the affected people end up having pale skin, red eyes and blonde hair.

Mr Buka called for education or awareness through outreach programmes and also called for collaboration in creating awareness about albinism in the society

He shared some challenges faced by people with albinism such as discrimination, prejudice and misconception, which he said  led to low self-esteem. 

Other challenges include personal development as most of them had no access to education and those who accessed it had no employment opportunities.

Other barriers, he said, included limited access to healthcare, noting that some experienced eye care problems and they did not have access to Opticians, which affects their performance at school. 

Mr Buka said some experienced skin problem due to high temperatures and needed special medication.

 

Different organisations such as Social and Community Development, District Health Management Team and eye clinic shared services they provided towards assisting people with albinism and how they could be accessed. ENDS