Victor Ezeja
AdminAs the 28th session of the Conference of the Parties (COP28) to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) gets underway in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, there are rising concerns over the deleterious impact of extreme heat on vulnerable communities.
In the arid regions of West Africa, particularly Kaduna State in North-west Nigeria, the lives of millions of individuals with albinism have come under severe threat due to the harsh weather caused by climate change.
Join our WhatsApp ChannelChairman of the Albinism Association of Nigeria (AAN) Kaduna State Chapter, Comrade Abubakar Adam, expressed deep concern over the rising incidents of skin cancer and its devastating effects on the well-being of albinos.
Adam spoke to Prime Business Africa on the dire consequences of climate change on albinos. He lamented the recent loss of three lives in Kaduna State, two in Kajuru local government, and one in Zaria, all attributed to climate change-related issues, including skin cancer.
“Exposure to sunlight directly affects persons with albinism. Their lack of melanin in their skin makes them more susceptible to sunburn and skin cancer,” he said.
Adam continued: “We have been witnessing an increase in skin-related illnesses, adding to the challenges of our already difficult lives. There’s nothing we can do about the rays of the sun and the heat directly penetrating into our skin.
“We are calling on well-meaning individuals, governments and multinationals and everyone else to protect persons with albinism from the impacts of sunlight.”
The AAN chairman added that on its part, the association has launched an ongoing campaign to educate parents of children with albinism in the state, recommending that they try as much as possible to stay indoors between 11 am to 4 pm.
It is also focused on raising awareness about the high cost of living affecting most adults with albinism, who struggle to work during the day due to the intense heat.
“We often seek refuge under trees or umbrellas to shield our skin from burning,” Adam explained, highlighting the need for protective measures against the harsh effects of climate change.
The AAN is actively sensitizing parents on the importance of ensuring their children wear protective clothing to safeguard their skin from the sun. Moreover, they are intensifying efforts to raise awareness about cancer prevention among the albino community.
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