By Kelvin Kasiwulaya
The Noble hands Zimbabwe (TNHZ), a non-profit organization dedicated to improving the livelihoods of youths, women, and people with albinism in Zimbabwe, has shared concerns over the correlation between climate change, skin cancer, and albinism.
According to TNHZ, skin cancer has become an epidemic affecting people with albinism in Zimbabwe. The organization has called for research to be done to draw the correlation between climate change, poor healthcare, poverty, and diet in this regard.
Currently, Zimbabwe has 9,753 people living with albinism, with four individuals dying every month due to skin cancer.
This year is proving to be one of the hottest on record, with a rapidly strengthening El Niño weather pattern and unprecedentedly hot summers.
Climate scientist Zeke Hausfather has warned that there is an 85% chance that 2023 will become the hottest year on record based on calculations with temperature data from the European Commission’s Copernicus Climate Change Service. This worrying trend may worsen the plight of people living with albinism in Zimbabwe and beyond.
According to the World Health Organization, people living with albinism face numerous challenges, including discrimination and social exclusion, limited access to healthcare, and a higher likelihood of developing skin cancer due to their sensitivity to the sun. These challenges are further exacerbated by climate change, which has led to increased temperatures and excessive solar radiation.
TNHZ is calling for urgent action to be taken to address the plight of people with albinism in Zimbabwe and beyond. This includes providing better healthcare services, developing appropriate sunscreen and protective clothing, and raising awareness about the challenges faced by people living with the condition. Only through concerted efforts can we ensure that people with albinism can enjoy their basic human rights and live fulfilling lives.