End skin cancer for people with albinism in Uganda

Since our last report, your support enabled 31 children and adults with albinism in Budaka and Pallisa Districts to have skin checks, as well as contributed towards providing sun protective resources for the attendees of our International Albinism Awareness Day (IAAD) commemoration in June.

Unfortunately, we continue to lack stocks of sunscreen and had none available for distribution at the district skin clinics. This meant that attendee numbers were lower than usual, even though regular skin checks with our dermatologist are also a vital part of keeping safe from skin cancer. As ever, the SNUPA team worked hard to publicise the clinics and encourage people with albinism to attend as usual. It quickly became clear from those who did come how important this continuity of care is – 23 of them (74%) had concerning skin damage and required cryotherapy to remove pre-cancerous lesions.

The clinics were held in government health centres in order to strengthen the engagement of the local authorities, as well as to continue our training for local health workers about albinism and skin cancer prevention whenever we get the chance!

The SNUPA team also report that ‘Holding skin clinics at health centres brings persons with albinism closer to key district authorities and strengthens their engagement with local government structures. One participant called Paul shared that the District Health Officer played a pivotal role in linking him to the District Service Commission, enabling him to secure employment as a primary school teacher. This demonstrates how the skin clinic outreaches also create opportunities for broader social and economic inclusion beyond access to healthcare.’

We held a very large skin clinic in the district of Kamuli in June during IAAD, your donations helped us to provide wide-brimmed hats, and long- sleeved clothing to the 350 children and adults with albinism who took part. Without sunscreen to keep safe from the sun, wearing protective clothing to cover all exposed skin is ever more crucial.

This year’s theme for IAAD was ‘Proudly in my skin: celebrating all skin tones’ which emphasised pride, dignity, and acceptance of all skin types, while challenging stigma and discrimination against people with albinism. It was a day of great solidarity and joy and raised awareness locally and nationally through media coverage of the ongoing challenges people with albinism face. A young girl with albinism called Frida shared her poem and call for equality and inclusion. She said ‘I have a light skin colour tone; you have a dark one. But we are all equal. How proud I am in my skin colour. I willmove with my head high… I am Ugandan, I am African, I am just like you.’

The SNUPA team always go the extra mile in their work and they are full of gratitude for the support of people like you, which makes it all possible. In a recent update, they said ‘SNUPA is grateful to our partners and well-wishers for your support towards improving the welfare and protecting the rights of persons with albinism in Uganda. With this, we believe we can contribute to a better quality of life for all.’