End skin cancer for people with albinism in Uganda

Since our last update, with your support we have undertaken skin clinics for people with albinism in the districts of Budaka, Butalejja, Kibuuku and Pallisa. 80 children and adults received comprehensive skin checks and 50 required cryotherapy to remove pre-cancerous lesions. All of our clinics were held in district health centres and hospitals as we continue to involve local health workers and increase their knowledge about the skincare and health needs of people with albinism.

As always during our skin clinics, attendees were able to find friendship and solidarity with their fellow participants as well as to share recent challenges. People with albinism continue to be fearful of venturing out alone as ingrained myths and misconceptions that their body parts have magical powers can put them at risk of assault and abduction. A handful of people shared recent experiences where they felt unsafe and that their security was threatened. The SNUPA team and other participants were able to provide comfort and advice. This again underlines how our skin clinics’ assistance extends far beyond skin care and that there is a continuing need to sensitise wider communities about albinism.  

During this period our stocks of life-saving sunscreen were unfortunately still running extremely low and the SNUPA team had to limit the numbers of bottles distributed in order to reach as many people as possible. Our dermatologist Dr. Ngobi advised the clinic attendees to take extra precautions to keep their skin safe including seeking shade between 10am and 4pm when the sun’s rays are at their strongest and always wearing their wide-brimmed hats and long-sleeved clothing. Faruk of the SNUPA team reported ‘We encouraged them to use the sunscreen efficiently and where possible share with others in need as we urgently seek new supplies of sunscreen. This scarcity has created anxiety among persons with albinism. They (and we) are continuously praying for God’s providence so we can provide free sunscreen lotions to the most vulnerable persons with albinism in Uganda.’

Reliable access to good quality sunscreen is crucial in our work to end skin cancer among people with albinism in Uganda. Inadequate supplies very quickly have a devastating impact on the health of people’s skin and on their ability to go about their daily lives. In the Butaleja clinic the SNUPA team reported that since their last visit ‘Unfortunately many persons with albinism had terrible skin. Many had skin and lips which were dry, raw and painful.’ People with albinism need continuity of care to protect their skin and with your help we will do all we can to help them stay safe as well as call for national attention, provision and support in Uganda.

Thanks to the generosity of Ultrasun UK, we were eventually able to secure a new consignment of high sun protection factor sunscreen which reached SNUPA in early December 2024, and was safely stacked in their office in Jinja ready for the next busy schedule of skin clinics.

Our work together to help people with albinism stay safe from skin cancer is challenging and the current global climate and withdrawal of resources from many quarters makes it more difficult still. Your support is needed more than ever. Please spread the word - and thank you so much for your help and encouragement.