Persons with albinism call for specialised healthcare

Mr Gomez Agbodo, the Secretary to the Persons with Albinism in the Ketu South Municipality of the Volta Region, has appealed for an urgent establishment of a dedicated healthcare support systems for this vulnerable group across the country. 

He said persons with albinism in Ketu South and other parts of the country continued to face serious challenges in accessing specialised and quality healthcare, particularly skin and eye care, exposing them to life-threatening conditions such as skin cancer and visual impairment. 

Mr Agbodo made the appeal during a New Year interaction, organised by Madam Abla Dzifa Gomashie, the Member of Parliament (MP) for Ketu South, which brought together Persons with Disabilities and other vulnerable groups in the Municipality. 

He noted that due to the unique genetic condition of persons with albinism, they required consistent medical attention, early diagnosis and specialised treatment, which were often unavailable or poorly handled in many public healthcare facilities. 

“The struggle to access proper healthcare as a person with albinism is overwhelming. Many health facilities lack trained personnel who understand our condition, and this affects the quality of care we receive,” he explained. 

Mr Agbodo recounted a personal experience where he sought medical care at a local health facility in the municipality but was discouraged by the level of professionalism and understanding exhibited by health workers. 

“I once visited a hospital here, but the care was not encouraging. Eventually, I had to travel to a specialised clinic in Togo to receive proper treatment,” he narrated. 

He explained that persons with albinism were highly vulnerable to the effects of direct sunlight, insect bites and untreated skin conditions, which could easily develop into skin cancer if not managed early. 

“Our skin lacks melanin, so when we are exposed to harsh sunlight or suffer minor skin injuries like mosquito bites without early treatment, it can lead to severe complications, including skin cancer,” he explained. 

Furthermore, Mr Agbodo noted that although early medical intervention could prevent most of these conditions, the lack of specialised services, dermatologists, sunscreen support and sensitised healthcare workers, remained a major barrier. 

He appealed to Madam Gomashie to raise the concerns of persons with albinism at the national level and advocate for policies that would prioritise their health needs, including the establishment of specialised clinics and training of health professionals. 

He expressed hope that with strong advocacy and government commitment, persons with albinism would receive the dignity, protection and healthcare they deserved. 

The New Year gathering provided a platform for various vulnerable groups to interact with the MP and share concerns affecting their welfare, inclusion and development. –GNA

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