The ManicaPost
Ray Bande
Senior Reporter
PEOPLE living with albinism in Manicaland will now access protective sunscreen lotions and lip balms with ease after being included in a Zimplats distribution programme that had been covering five provinces in the previous five years.
This was revealed during the International Albinism Awareness Day commemorations held at Victoria Chitepo Hospital in Mutare yesterday (Thursday) when Zimplats announced the inclusion of the eastern border province in the sunscreen and lipbalm distribution programme.
Platinum mining concern Zimplats launched support for people with albinism five years ago, and has been donating creams and lipbalm in Mashonaland West, Matebeleland North, Masvingo, Bulawayo and Harare provinces.
The aim is to add one province annually.
The distribution of sunscreens and lipbalms is expected to be augmented after the completion of a local manufacturing project being bankrolled the platinum mining company.
A check by this newspaper revealed that people living with albinism have been forced to part ways with US$3 for lip balm that lasts two weeks while US$10 to US$35 is charged for sunscreen lotions that also lasts about two weeks, depending on quality and brand.
Given that many cannot afford, the have been left for occasional supplies from well-wishers and donors.
In her address during the belated International Albinism Awareness Day commemoration yesterday (Thursday), Zimplats head of corporate affairs Mrs Busi Chindowe said the production of sunscreen lotions and lipbalm is being funded through her company’s Local Enterprise Development (LED) initiative.
Mrs Chindowe, whose company has been distributing sunscreens and lipbalm for free in five provinces, said a pharmacist has already been engaged to have the production of sunscreen lotions and lipbalm done locally.
“As Zimplats, we have a Local Enterprise Development initiative through which we support small to medium enterprises. Currently, we have 22 of them that are into different income generating or business projects.
“Of these 22, we have a pharmacist who manufactures sunscreen lotions and lipbalm. These are products that were being imported and having them produced locally will go a long way in improving accessibility,” she said.
Mrs Chindowe also appealed to the Ministry of Health and Child Care as well as the Ministry of Public Service, Labour and Social Welfare to chip in with assistance in coordinating the distribution of sunscreen lotions and lipbalm.
This year’s International Albinism Awareness Day is being held under the theme: “United in making our voices heard”.
Through a project dubbed ‘Beyond the skin’, Zimplats joined hands with several stakeholders in promoting social inclusion and care of people living with albinism for the past five years.
After kick starting the ‘Beyond the skin’ project with a venture named Friends with albinism, the platinum mining concern has helped people living with albinism in accessing basic medical attention, care and social inclusivity.
Lancet, Optinova, Stanbic Bank, Nyaradzo Group among other partners have also been active in the initiatives meant to improve the lives of people living with albinism.
Speaking during the Manicaland commemorations, United Nations Information Centre national information officer Mrs Tafadzwa Mwale said: “This years’ theme of the event promotes unison among stakeholders in the disability movement, promoting unity of purpose to all groups that represent the interests of people with different disabilities, albinism included.
“Simply because we do not understand albinism, people living with albinism are facing a lot of challenges in communities. Albinism is not contagious but genetically inherited even if one of the parents does not have albinism they might have the genes.
“It is against this background that albinism must be a target of all human rights initiatives because it is their right to be part of society without being discriminated against.”
In a separate speech during the same occasion, guest of honour Dr Edmos Mtetwa, the chief director in the Ministry of Public Service, Labour and Social Welfare, who was representing Minister Paul Mavima, said: “The launch of the National Disability Policy by Government meant that disability issues must be included in all activities of Government operations.
“This is the reason even the National Development Strategy One recognizes the importance of including disability issues is achievement of the nation’s goals.
“By ignoring those living with disabilities we are deliberately ignoring crucial human resource that could help in the development of our communities and our nation at large.”
