The inability to afford essential skincare products has been identified as a major factor contributing to skin infections, including skin cancer, and hindering access to education among persons with albinism in Ondo State.

Financial constraints have made it difficult for many to purchase products such as sunscreen and sunblock creams, leading to the untimely death of some albinos from skin cancer, while others are currently bedridden with the disease.

Speaking with our reporter on this worrisome development, the State Chairperson of Persons with Albinism, Mrs. Busola Ademeko, lamented the dire conditions of her members across the state due to their inability to access treatment for their skin conditions.

She disclosed that in 2024 alone, three albinos died of skin cancer, while five members are currently battling the disease without any form of support for treatment.

According to her, out of the approximately 800 albinos in Ondo State, fewer than 10% have access to education due to the lack of recommended albinism eyeglasses, which cost about N200,000.

As an albino and mother of a child living with albinism, she decried the high dropout rate among her members, citing vision problems and the inability to afford prescribed eyeglasses. She explained how she has had to spend extra money to ensure her 10-year-old daughter gets an education.

Her words:
“As I’m speaking to you, we have over 800 persons with albinism in Ondo State, and their condition is not favorable. It is getting worse due to the lack of proper care. Some of them are even hidden by their parents immediately after birth, especially in the Akoko area of the state. They are not allowed to mingle with others, and their skin condition keeps deteriorating.

“In terms of education, because of foul and discriminatory language, many albinos stay out of school. Out of the 800 we know, those with any form of education may not be more than 30. When you call them for job opportunities, you may find a few with school certificates, but seeing university graduates among them is very rare,” she lamented.

Calling on the government, private organizations, civil societies, and well-meaning individuals for assistance, she emphasized the urgent need for access to standard health facilities with dermatologists.

She revealed that when any member is diagnosed with skin cancer or other skin-related infections, they often have to travel to Ife Teaching Hospital, Lagos, or Abuja for treatment, as there is no dermatologist in the entire state.

Ademeko appealed to the public for donations of skincare products, noting that “sunscreen creams now cost N8,000 to N10,000. Sunblock creams cost between N25,000 and N30,000 for children, and N10,000 to N15,000 for adults.

“Sunblock cream is not for everyday use. One sunblock can last three to four months. You apply it only when exposed to the sun. I got mine from a friend in Lagos, and it cost N30,000,” she added.

She stressed that newborns with albinism need these skincare products the most, stating that using them from childhood helps protect their skin from developing serious conditions later in life.

“We are appealing to the public not to allow our people to die off. They should help us. Half is better than none. If they cannot buy in bulk, an individual can donate even a carton—we can gather them and use them for our people.

“Even for the sake of the newborns, let skin cancer not get into their system. Once it does, it becomes unmanageable. Sometimes our people undergo surgery three to four times. The only solution is to avoid sun exposure, but let’s consider the economy—aren’t we supposed to eat? So, we’re crying out to the public. If all you can donate is cream or sunblock, we will appreciate it. We are calling on churches and mosques to support us.”

“Even if the cancer is just beginning, we can still use Efydus. But once it progresses beyond that, the only option is surgery. If people in the Ondo community can help us get Efydus, we can share it in small containers among ourselves—that’s how they do it in Lagos,” she cried.

Ademeko expressed disappointment that the State Agency for the Welfare of Persons with Disabilities has not been forthcoming with support, citing lack of funds.

“We have done our best, writing letter after letter, but nothing came out of it. Last year alone, three of our members died of skin cancer.”

She highlighted the efforts of the association’s executive members toward improving the welfare of persons with albinism. These efforts include sensitization meetings on skincare, lobbying government and private organizations for cream donations, and public enlightenment to dispel myths that portray albinos as idols or goddesses.

June 13th is observed globally as International Albinism Awareness Day. This year’s theme is: “Demanding Our Rights: Protect Our Skin, Preserve Our Rights.”