Skin Cancer: Alarming Rise In Deaths Of Albinism Sufferers In 2022

In recent years, the number of albinism sufferers who have died from skin cancer has increased which is why we will be looking at Skin Cancer: Alarming Rise In Deaths Of Albinism Sufferers In 2022.

The following information was presented to the public on 2022 International Albinism Day by a panel of individuals with albinism.

It called on the Buhari administration to reinstate a skin cancer intervention program that had been in place during the previous administration. Albinism patients in the country would benefit from it because it would save their lives.

According to the association, the number of deaths of persons living with albinism has risen. This is as a result of skin cancer.

This was disclosed in commemoration of the 2022 International Albinism Awareness Day, themed: ‘United In Our Voice Heard’. The day is celebrated annually on May 13.

The president of the association said that about four million people living with albinism are struggling with one or more forms of diseases, as well as skin cancer.

This health news is a courtesy of the Best HMO in Nigeria

Against the backdrop of albinism, Epelle stated, “Skin cancer has become a scourge that’s not just deadly, but also functionally debilitating.” Statistics show that about three people with albinism die of skin cancer every month.

“Considering the plight of people with albinism, we ask the President to review the skin cancer intervention program of the previous administration so that policy instruments can be set up in order for it to become functional and sustainable again, in order to alleviate the hardships of those living with albinism.

“Under your leadership, I would like to request that you kindly approve the inclusion of skin cancer treatment in the scope of cancer health care. At present, only breast, cervical, and prostate cancers are covered by the Cancer Health Fund.

The objective is to galvanize local and international support for possible collaboration and funding support for skin cancer for people with albinism (PWA). I would like to draw your attention to our discussion with United Nations Aid. I would like to assure you that we are ready to extend an arm of fellowship in this regard as well.

In addition, the association’s president explained:

“In 2007, we established a public-private partnership with the Obasanjo administration so that the government could start an intervention against skin cancer for PWA when it opened the National Hospital and other specified states and private hospitals in 2007.

Regardless of the fact that this intervention continued under the regime of former late President Musa Yar’adua. The first money for it was provided by the Federal Ministry of Finance Service nationwide in 2013. For this initiative, a sum of N17.8 million was allocated and spent along with other useful resources. As a result of this opportunity, over 5,000 Nigerians with albinism received treatment.

“However, President Muhammadu Buhari appears to have abandoned this milestone under his administration because of other overriding interests”.

PUNCH HealthWise is the source for this information