Cheshire Homes Society of Zambia, under the Out of the Shadow Project has partnered with the Zambia Agency for Persons with Disabilities (ZAPD) to conduct a comprehensive registration and screening for skin cancer related issues that affect persons with albinism.
Cheshire Homes Society of Zambia Community Based Rehabilitation (CBR) Advisor and Out of the Shadow Project Coordinator, Sharon Handongwe, says the project aims to improve access to skin cancer and optical screening of persons with albinism in the country.
ZANIS reports that one of the key activities under the project is to create awareness and solicit community participation especially amongst traditional healers on misconceptions that lead to the killings or mutilation of persons with albinism.
Ms Handongwe, who was speaking in an exclusive phone interview with ZANIS in Lusaka today, revealed that the Out of the Shadow project is being implemented in Eastern, Luapula, Muchinga and Northern Provinces.
And the Zambia Agency for Persons with Disabilities (ZAPD) has highly condemned the discrimination of persons with albinism in the country noting that discrimination against persons with albinism is a grave concern that requires collective attention and action.
ZAPD Director General, Frankson Musukwa, notes that it is essential to promote inclusivity and challenge harmful stereotypes that surround albinism in communities.
Mr Musukwa disclosed that ZAPD’s partnership with Cheshire Homes Society of Zambia, Out of the Shadow project, will facilitate a comprehensive registration and screening programme for persons with albinism.
He has since urged the community to create a society that values diversity and promotes equal opportunities for all.
“To the community, I urge you to recognise the inherent worth and dignity of every individual, regardless of their physical characteristics. Let us strive to create a society that values diversity and promotes equal opportunities for all,” he said.
Meanwhile, ZAPD Northern Province Provincial Coordinator, Jane Nkonde, said the community has welcomed the Out of the Shadow project in Mporokoso District, in Northern Province.
She said the team is currently working together with the Ministry of Health in the district by going into communities to screen for skin and eyes in order to identify persons with albinism that may have skin cancer or optical problems for them to receive assistance.
“As ZAPD, it’s also an advantage that the project is providing resources to support persons with albinism that may need urgent medical attention,” she said.
