The Head of The Albino Foundation (TAF) Professor Douglas Anele, has appealed to the new leadership of the National Assembly to consider the prompt passage of a bill against the stigmatization of albinos which has passed various stages during the eight assembly.
Speaking on a phone- in radio Programme, monitored in Uyo, Akwa Ibom state by our correspondent to mark this year’s” International Albino Day,” Thursday , Anele said the passage of the bill will assuage the effects of the discrimination against albinos.
He said, “Some parents even discriminate against the albino child. Some fathers discriminate against their wives for giving birth to albinos. Some albino children are out rightly rejected by their parents. Some have no access to education and employment. They are rejected everywhere they go.
“We in the albino foundation need a bill to protect our rights as citizens of this country. It is our hope that with the inauguration of the 9th National Assembly the bill will be passed into law.” Anele said.
Anele advised parents on the health challenges of the albino child saying the colour of the skin and eyesight can be maintained if the parents are conscious of the problems of the albino children .
An optician, Dr. Okonkwo Ifeanyichkwu, who spoke with Blueprint in Uyo, said albinos are persons with hereditary loss of pigments in the eyes, hair and skin.
“The effects are associated with low level visual acuity, nystagmus and light sensitivity which involve the involuntary Rapid Oscillation of the eye balls. The albinos have photophobia which is the eyes abnormal sensitivity to light.”
Dr. Ifeanyichkwu recommended the use of face cap or hat to protect the body from sun burns.
