Founder of the organisation, Mr. Jake Epelle, stated this at a briefing in Abuja during the 2013 Albinism Day entitled- 'Albinism and national development: strengthening advocacy for national policy on albinism'.
Albinism is an inherited condition characterised by the lack of melanin pigment in the hair, skin or eyes.
Epelle, who decried the socio-psychological torture albinos faced in the country, however, commended the Federal Government for offering free cancer treatment to albinos living with cancer.
He said, "People with albinism get free cancer treatment; we have been enjoying that. Once again, it is only in Abuja. In addition, you can imagine, over six million persons with albinism focusing on just one hospital. All the six million of us are susceptible to having skin cancer; including me. Nobody should play with a major issue. That is why I do not get involved in politics; I am passionate about what I do and I focus on what I do and I keep succeeding."
Lamenting what he described as "cultural practices, which discriminate and unleash inhumane treatment on albinos in Nigeria, he said such practices started in Delta State where people went about killing albinos, and using them for money ritual."
Source: naij
No comments:
Post a Comment