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The National Council for Persons with Disability (NCPWD) has rolled out cancer- screening clinic for persons living with albinism in Nyamira.
Speaking in Nyamira town during the exercise on Thursday, area coordinator Lydia Matende said cancer screening is critical to diagnose and treat the disease at an early age before it becomes fatal.
Persons with albinism are prone to skin cancers and NCPWD intends to carry out screening across the country to mitigate this challenge.
She said that the Council has been implementing the programme to cushion persons with albinism from the effects of harmful sun rays, which leads to skin cancer saying they usually conduct the screening once in a financial year.
Stephen Wafula, a senior officer with the NCPWD who also attended the function said the Albinism Support Programme (ASP) has been providing sunscreen lotions and other services for all persons with albinism.
“Prolonged exposure to direct sunlight and harmful ultraviolet sunrays affects most persons with albinism by contracting skin cancer due to their lack of skin protective pigment,” he said.
He also noted that cancer is the biggest threat and killer disease to persons living with albinism.
“The programme also seeks to help provide relevant and quality medical care for them,” he said.
Wafula also called on society to unite against the marginalisation faced by individuals living with albinism and recognise their contributions to the development of the community. BY THE STAR