24 May 2018
The National Association of Non-Governmental Organisations (NANGO) commends the Zimbabwean government through the Ministry of Health and Child Care for acknowledging the essentiality of sunscreen lotions for people with albinism.
People with albinism have extremely sensitive skin and therefore need sunscreen lotion to protect them from ultraviolet rays of the sun. Unfortunately, import duty put on skin care products required by people with albinism makes the prices beyond the reach of many.
The Albino Trust Zimbabwe is lobbying for removal of import duty on sunscreen lotions used by people with albinism, however, ZIMRA is adamant in its claims that sunscreen lotion is a cosmetic not an essential drug.
To circumvent this barrier, Albino Trust Zimbabwe Director, Bruce Nyoni, has engaged a dermatologist and pharmacist to assist the organisation in manufacturing good quality sunscreen lotion that will be affordable to all people with albinism.
Nyoni told NANGO that most people with albinism are unemployed and some of them may not be qualified for formal employment as they fail to continue their education due to visual impairment.
Nyoni toured a sunscreen manufacturing plant in South Africa where he discovered that the end product is worth approximately US$2 whereas in Zimbabwe the same product is sold at an exorbitant price of $20 to $23. He also alleged that in the black market poor quality lotion is put in expensive containers and sold to unknowing people with albinism.
According to Nyoni the product that his organisation intends to manufacture will be tailor made to suit Zimbabwean weather as opposed to lotions that are imported from the diaspora which may not be effective under the Zimbabwean weather.
The Albino Trust Zimbabwe feels that its pleas for consideration of sunscreen lotion as an essential drug have landed on deaf ears and have therefore come to the decision to raise funds and make a sunscreen lotion that will be affordable especially to Zimbabwean rural children with albinism.
The Albino Trust Zimbabwe is a youth led organisation that advocates for the rights and welfare of people with albinism. It helps people with albinism by sourcing and providing essentials such as sunscreen lotions, sunglasses, food and clothing items. The organisation has had campaigns for inclusion and access to education as well as against discrimination and stigma.
