Skin Cancer: The silent killer haunting albino communities in Tanzania -

By STAFF REPORTER, In Dodoma

THE people with albinism (PWA) in the country have requested the government to mull over increasing free rolling -out of the sunscreen lotions, as well as other necessary wearing gears to help protect them from skin cancer.

Relevant research established that skin cancer limits persons with albinism to a life expectancy of less than forty (40) years, especially in Africa, whereby in Tanzania only 2 percent of persons with albinism survive skin cancer to reach the age of 40.

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), albinism is a genetically inherited disorder resulting from lack of pigmentation (melanin) in the hair, skin and eyes ,causing vulnerability to the sun and bright light.

Giving an exclusive interview to this publication, Maiko Salali, the Director of Foundation for Disability Hope ( FDH) said the situation was not friendly as most of the people with albinism across the country were currently prone to skin cancer.

Salali, who faces a skin impairment challenge, observed that most of the households with children/ people with albinism in the country are living in abject poverty to the tune of not having financial muscle to purchase sunscreen lotions, as well as the other needed facilities to protect them from sun rays.

“It is very disconcerting that the Kilimanjaro Christians Medical Center (KCMC), through its Kilimanjaro Sunscreen Production Unit (KSPU) has reduced production of the sunscreen lotions,” he said.

The KSPU, is the only facility in the country which produces and freely distributes locally-made sunscreens, dubbed, ‘Kilisun’ that are specifically designed for the people with albinism across Tanzania.

Together with that, Salali informed that a huge percent of the albinism in the country are still crowded out from access to other necessary sun-preventive items, including wide-brimmed hats and long-sleeved clothing.

To repair the situation, he spoke over the need for the government to initiate albinism-tailor-made skin cancer centres in at least all regions across the country so as to place the victims to a better and comfortable access to the skin cancer treatment.

Together with that, he asked the government to capacitate the Kilimanjaro-based sunscreen production facility, the Christians Medical Center (KCMC)’s Kilimanjaro Sunscreen Production Unit (KSPU) to roll back to its normal production volume.

“The sunscreen lotions being manufactured by other factories across the country are not free-based, and are unfortunately available at the high prices in comparison to the financial ability by the majority of the albinos in the country, “ he observed.

Records show that sunscreen provision is alarmingly poor across Africa, as the lotions are not widely available, and are usually donated from abroad.

Also, he said there’s a need for the government, through the Health Ministry to use the current data results over the Population and Housing Census to trace the actual number of the people with albinisms in the country, and plan positive strategies to provide them with the vital healthcare services, including skin cancer treatments.

Ligoha Meshak, the albinism dwelling in Chamwino District of Dodoma region, for his side expressed a sad tale of losing his young sister ( also albino) due to skin cancer.

“I feel even sad to reminisce about the bad and troubled manner to which my young sister crossed the sunshine due to skin cancer. We’re living in rural areas, far away from access to sunscreen lotions and other necessary health services, “ Meshak expressed in pain.

He said it was prudent for the parent ministry to work out immediate interventions for assisting the albinism communities in rural areas to access the necessary health services.

In response to stamp- out the situation, when approached by The Chanzo, the Deputy Health Minister, Dr. Godwin Mollel itemised the number of efforts being implemented by the government.

To begin with, he expressed that the sixth phase government, under President Dr. Samia Suluhu Hassan has so far worked to construct and install ultra-modern cancer treatment facilities in the country.

He said the improvement of the cloud-connected cancer diagnosis and treating facilities meant also to cater for the people with albinism.

” For instance, at the KCMC, the government spent at least 7bn/-to improve cancer treating facilities, whereby a total of 10bn/- was similarly used to uplift the cancer department at the Mwanza -based Bugando hospital, “ he unveiled.

Moreover, he said cancer departments are also available in all regions across the country with a specific task to treat all cancer cases, including skin cancer.

“Healthcare services of skin cancer for the people with albinism doesn’t differ with treatment for the other normal people; thus, the albinos stand a better chance to access the treatment at these established regional cancer centers, “ he directed.

Moreover, he ruled out any possibility for the Ministry of Health to initiate tailor-made cancer centers for albinos, saying doing so would be promoting a sense of discrimination towards the ground, something which the government strongly discourages.

Tanzania has one of the countries with the highest incidences of albinism in the world with 1in every 1429 live births being albino.

In Africa approximately 1 in 4,000 people are born with albinism compared to 1 in 20,000 elsewhere in the world.

Though it’s difficult to know the actual number of the people with albinisms (PWA) in Tanzania, figures obtained from the Tanzania Albinism Society (TAS), which is a national organization of persons with albinism show that there are 18,833 persons with albinism in the country.

But going by 1/1429 albinism ratio of 58,000,000 Tanzanian population (World Bank data 2020), PWAs in Tanzania are estimated at 40,588 people which is a significant population.