*Former President Chief Olusegun Obasanjo has urged the Federal Government
to sustain the policy which grants access to free healthcare to people
living with albinism who suffer from skin cancer. The policy was started
in 2013 during the Goodluck Jonathan administration. *
*Chief Obasanjo who said he was alarmed by the rate at which albinos become
affected with cancer, explained that it was the lack of knowledge and
information about albinism that make albinos particularly vulnerable to the
disease.*
*“I believe that with more information and knowledge about the proper care
of albinos, especially children, there will be fewer cases of people living
with albinism being vulnerable to skin cancer,’’ he said. *
*Chief Obasanjo made these comments when a delegation from The Albino
Foundation (TAF) paid a courtesy call on him at his Ota, Ogun State
residence recently. He also accepted the offer of TAF to serve as co-life
patron of the foundation, alongside former President Shehu Shagari. *
*Speaking earlier, the founder of TAF, Mr. Jake Epelle had briefed the
former president on the various initiatives and programmes of the
foundation and its effort to ensure mainstreaming of albinos in government
policies and programmes.*
*Epelle said that in spite of the effort of TAF, people living with
albinism still suffer serious discriminations and stigmatization in the
society. “Although we have seen marginal improvement in the treatment of
albinos over time, we still face prejudices borne out of unfounded myths
and fears of albinism.*
*‘’Many albinos are denied right to education, while others suffer
work-place discriminations. We at TAF are calling on government at all
levels to make laws and policies that will mainstream albinism in all areas
of the society,’’ Epelle said.*
*Obasanjo furthermore pledged to support the effort of TAF for
mainstreaming of albinism and to chair the International conference on
albinism which is slated for Ogun State in June 2017. *
*Issued on behalf of TAF*
*By Peach Communications Ltd *
*32, Ekukinam St., Utako, Abuja*
*(Photos: Jake Epelle, founder of TAF, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo and other
members of the foundation)*