17 Jun 2024

The Ministry of Health is working tirelessly to ensure that health services are inclusive and accessible to all including people living with albinism.

Speaking during commemoration of International Awareness Albinism Day in Serowe on recently, assistant Minister of Health Mr Sethomo Lelatisitswe said the ministry would continue to support all strategies aimed at improving the lives of people living with albinism.

He said the ministry was the  currently reviewing the albinism care programme to bring it at par with that of their neighbouring countries such as South Africa, Tanzania and Malawi.

Mr Lelatisitswe who is also the Member of Parliament for Boteti East said albinism was a rare, non-contagious, genetically inherited condition.

“The condition is found in both sexes regardless of ethnicity”, he said.

Held under the theme:10 years of International Awareness Albinism Day: A decade of collective progress, he said it reflected on the strides made within the movement, with renewed commitment for the future and the tireless efforts of albinism groups in Botswana.

He said they would continue to reflect on the legal and policy framework with a view to effect any practical changes required to ensure equal enjoyment of rights by persons living with albinism.

“It is, therefore, important to work together so that united we stand in achieving our goal of having access to universal health care and support. This programme represents partnership between our facilities and the albinism community in Botswana”, Mr Lelatisitswe said.

He encouraged albinism support organisations and albinism communities to work together in advocating for the rights of the people living with albinism.

The patron of the association of people living with albinism, Mr Nonofo Molefhi said the commemoration created a platform to sensitise people living with albinism that they were the same just like those with black pigmentation.

He encouraged the health ministry to ensure supply of the necessary products used by people living with albinism as they tend to struggle with skin cancer and visual impairment.

He said they should also have tailor made programmes deliberately targeting people living with albinism rather than incorporating them in the same spot with people living with disability.

Mr Molefhi said their vision was to have various offices across the country on how best they could assist people living with albinism.

Albinism Society of Botswana Chairperson Mr Sergeant  Kgosietsile decried that people living with albinism were discriminated in the work place thus encouraging all to shun such a practice.

Moreover, he implored the Ministry of Health to play lead in coordinating medical check-ups that people living with abinism have to undergo.

For her part, Serowe’s Gallery Albinism Society Chairperson Mr Keaobaka Amosele said culture and some religious concepts undermined the rights of people living with albinism.

He said the fact that they were forced to take off their hats that protect them from the scotching sun at social functions was not helping the situation.

Mr Amosele said they coveted to be elected in leadership positions just like anybody, thus urging his colleagues to have self-esteem and confidence for them to achieve great things in life. On December 18, 2014, the United Nations General Assembly adopted a resolution proclaiming, with effect from 2015, June 13 as International Albinism Awareness Day. Ends