A lot of People with Albinism in Iringa have no access to Sunscreen

Wanafunzi wa Shule ya wasichana ya Iringa wakionesha namna ya kutumia mafuta aina ya lotion ya ngozi (Sunscreen) inayotumiwa na watu wenye albinism (PWA) wakati wa Kliniki ya  PWA inayofanyika kila baada ya robo mwaka katika Hospitali ya Rufaa mkoani Iringa jana. (Picha na Friday Simbaya)

Ofisa Muuguzi Msaidizi wa Hospitali ya Mkoa wa Iringa, Pendo Kilezi akionesha namna ya kutumia mafuta aina ya lotion ya ngozi (Sunscreen) inayotumiwa na watu wenye albinism (PWA) wakuwa kwa wadogo katika Kliniki ya PWA inayofanyika kila baada ya robo mwaka katika Hospitali ya Rufaa mkoani Iringa jana. (Picha na Friday Simbaya)

Daktari wa Magonjwa ya Ngozi na Via vya Uzazi, Dr. Pilly Shing'oma akionesha mafuta aina ya lotion (Sunscreen) inayotumiwa na watu wenye albinism (PWA) wakuwa kwa wadogo katika Kliniki ya PWA inayofanyika kila baada ya robo mwaka katika Hospitali ya Rufaa mkoani Iringa jana. (Picha na Friday Simbaya)

IRINGA: THE Tanzania Albinism Society (TAS) Regional Secretary for Iringa Region, Leo Sambala (pictured above) said his region has no record of brutal killings of People with Albinism (PWA), the Guardian has learnt yesterday.

He said that although the albino community in Iringa Region enjoy the harmony and peace but his members of the community face the challenge of access to solar lotions (sunscreen) which help them to protect against the sun’ ultraviolet radiation. 

Sambala said region has a total number of 378 People with Albinism (PWA) but there very few people (about 120) can receive local made Kilimanjaro Sunscreen Lotion, which acts as melanin guards them against the sun’s radiation, and they also lack of wide brimmed hats and sunglasses. 

This was came to light on Thursday during the two-day clinic for People with Albinism (PWA) held at Iringa Region Referral Hospital were among other things the solar lotions were distributed to the PWAs.

He said also that albino population in Iringa was facing the challenge of discrimination and stigma from the members of the community due to lack of education about albinism.

Tanzania Albinism Society (TAS) is a national non-profit organization established in 1978 by albinos. TAS is helping to protect and empower people with Albinism in Tanzania.

On her part, Dr. Pilly Shing'oma who is specialist of dermatology and sexually transmitted infections (dermatovenereology) at Iringa Referral Hospital said there are a good number of people with albinism in the region but very few of them were reached by project of solar lotion supply.

She said the hospital in collaboration with the Kilimanaro Christians Medical Center (KCMC) in Moshi through UNICEF they conduct a quarterly PWA Clinic for two days were they are given education and supply them with Kilimanjaro Sunscreen lotion (Kilisun), which a solar lotion is protecting them (albinos) from direct sunrays.

Dr. Shing’oma said people with albinism across regions of Tanzania are receiving regular supplies of sunscreen through Kilimanjaro Sunscreen Production Unit (KSPU).

She stated that people with albinism lack Melanin which is a photo-protective pigment in the skin, eyes and hair. 

“Melanin guards against the sun’s ultraviolet radiation (UVA and UBV), which is especially aggressive in tropical countries like Tanzania. The more melanin a person can produce, the darker their skin, the greater their protection against sun damage, and the lower their risk of developing skin cancer,” she said. 

She said that due to genetic factors, people with albinism partially or totally lack the capacity to produce melanin. 

This explains their pale appearance, and their unique vulnerability to sun damage: only 2% of persons with albinism in Tanzania survive skin cancer to reach the age of 40. 

This crisis is completely preventable. With adequate sunscreen, wide-brimmed hats, long-sleeved clothing, sun protection education and regular medical check-ups, no person with albinism has to die of skin cancer.

Sunscreen provision is alarmingly poor across Africa. Sunscreens are not widely available, and are usually donated from abroad. 

The first of its kind, the Kilimanjaro Sunscreen Production Unit (KSPU) was established to produce and distribute locally made sunscreens specifically designed for people with albinism across Tanzania. 

Kilimanjaro Sunscreen, or ‘Kilisun’, is a water-in-oil emulsion with a sun protection factor of 30+ (High SPF). When applied, Kilisun acts like melanin, protecting people with albinism from the harmful rays of the sun.