A Non-Governmental organization, The Onome Akinlolu Majaro (OAM) Foundation has called on Nigerians to stop discriminating and stigmatising against Albinos stressing that Albinism is a genetic disorder and not a disease.

The Executive Director of OAM, Mrs Rita Okagbare stated this recently while donating 50 eyeglasses and frames to Albinos at Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH). She said it’s high time people stopped discriminating against albinos even in marriages and relationships. She also called for continuous awareness programmes as a way to end stigmatisation.

The head of LUTH ophthalmology department Prof. Adeola Onakoya, explained that people living with albinism were having sight problems due to the arrangement of their nerves, adding that their eyes can be corrected by giving glasses or low visual aids, but not surgery.

The Head of LUTH Dermatology Department, Dr Olusola Ayanlowo in her contribution states:

“The skin problem with albinos is still all about the sun. The melanin protects the skin from hazards of the sun but people with albinism have a very low or complete absence of the pigment. So when they get exposed to sunlight, they have damages on their skin and the eyes.

Parents need to know that their albino children are normal and can have challenges of the skin. So as soon as they are born, they should desist from exposing them to the sun. Teachers should be educated as well”

She called on the government to assist in combating the stigma as albinism is compatible with normal life span and intelligence.