Foundation decries discrimination against persons with albinism

The Albino Foundation, Plateau Chapter, has called on Nigerians to stop discriminating against persons living with albinism.
The Coordinator of the foundation in the state, Mr Abel Mvenoaga, said this when he led other members on an advocacy visit to the state Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Mr Deyyebu Garga, on Wednesday in Jos.
According to Mvenoaga, the over 2,000 persons living with albinism in the state are going through various forms of discrimination.
“One of the major challenges we are faced with is the issue of discrimination we get from fellow citizens.
“A lot of people think albinism is contagious; hence don’t want to mingle with us. Unfortunately it is not so.
“We are being discriminated upon in schools, hospitals, worship places, markets and even work places.
“This is why 90 per cent of persons with albinism are uneducated and of course, if you are not educated, you can hardly be gainfully employed.
“And once you don’t have something doing, you are already heading towards poverty,’’ he said.
“Sir, our challenges revolve around discrimination; if the society begins to accept us as normal human beings like everybody, things will be better for us,” he added.
While commending the state government for setting up the Disability Rights Commission, Mvenoaga however urged the government to do more to cater for the plight of the disabled in the society.
He further appealed to government to support persons with albinism with drugs that would boost their sight and improve the melanin on their skin so as enable them live healthily.
He lamented that the foundation had this year lost four of its members to skin cancer and disclosed that a member was presently in a critical condition at the hospital and who required great financial support to live.
Responding, Garga said government had placed high premium on issues that affected persons living with disabilities in the state.
He said Gov. Simon Lalong was passionate over matters that concerned with physically challenged persons in the state, hence the creation of the Disabilities Right Commission.
“As a government, we are doing all within our powers to accommodate and carry everybody along.
“On our part as a ministry, I assure you that we will support and partner with you, and we will also ensure all complaints get to the highest authority.
“Whatever we need to do to help you have a better life, we will do it without hesitations,” he assured.