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Transcript/ScriptNIGERIA ALBINOS CANCER (TV) HEADLINE: Nigerian Albinos Demand Authorities Restore Free Cancer Treatment
TEASER: People with the condition are more susceptible to skin cancer because of their lack of melanin.
PUBLISHED AT: 05/26/022, 6:48p
BYLINE: Timothy Obiezu
CONTRIBUTOR:
DATELINE: Abuja, Nigeria
VIDEOGRAPHER:
VIDEO EDITOR:
SCRIPT EDITORS: MAS, DLJ
VIDEO SOURCE (S): VOA
PLATFORMS (mark with X): WEB __ TV _x_ RADIO __
TRT: 3:12
VID APPROVED BY: Reifenrath
TYPE: TVPKG
EDITOR NOTES:))
((INTRO))
[[The Albinism Association of Nigeria is petitioning the government to resume free cancer treatment for albinos. The free treatment was stopped years ago because of a lack of funding. Experts say people with albinism — albinos — are more likely to get skin cancer because they have little or no melanin. Timothy Obiezu reports from Abuja.]]
((NARRATOR))
This rash on Cynthia Ukachi's skin can be deadly.
((Cynthia Ukachi, Person With Albinism)) ((English, 27 secs))
"I have two or three on my neck. Yes, three on my neck. I have two at my back, and I just have this on my forehead here. It looks very small but it's very painful and it can bleed."
((NARRATOR))
Ukachi says sores are malignant skin cells capable of spreading and causing skin cancer that could be fatal.
Ukachi says she first noticed the changes on her skin in 2018. She received treatment thanks to a government program that offered free skin cancer care for albinos.
But now, she says her condition has returned and the government has ended its free treatment plan.
((Cynthia Ukachi, Person With Albinism))((English, 20 secs))
"So noticing this issue again, I already knew what it is, but I couldn't go back to the hospital, knowing I'll be asked to pay, and the money is what I do not have." // “If the government wants me to live, if the government wants persons with albinism to live, they should reinstate the free cancer treatment.”
((NARRATOR))
Authorities started the program in 2007, and the Albinism Association of Nigeria says more than 5,000 patients including Ukachi benefited from it before it was discontinued.
Jake Epelle is a skin cancer survivor and the group’s president.
((Jake Epelle, Albinism Association of Nigeria President)) ((English, 24 secs))
"Even the current administration started the skeletal implementation at the beginning of their tenure but then reneged. The reason is simply that poverty of funds and the fact that it cannot continue to offer this treatment. And of course, the effect is that persons with albinism are dying in droves.”
((NARRATOR))
Medical experts say albinos are a thousand times more likely than the general population to develop skin cancer due to the partial or complete absence of melanin, a pigment responsible for eye, hair and skin color.
In Nigeria, myths and discrimination associated with albinism make it far more difficult for those with the disorder to get jobs and afford skin cancer treatment.
In May, the albinism association renewed its call for the government to reinstate the free skin cancer treatment.
Nigerian authorities responded.
((James David Lalu, National Commission for Persons With Disabilities)) ((English, 19 secs))
"We had discussions with the permanent secretary of the federal ministry for health for us to be able to revisit this. // We're going to provide some funding support to do that. Additionally, by next year we're going to provide proper budgetary allocation that will support this cancer treatment for our people."
((NARRATOR))
The Albinism Association cautions there is no time to lose as free treatment is the only lifeline for persons around the country like Ukachi, who fears she will run out of time.
((Timothy Obiezu, for VOA News Abuja, Nigeria )
NewsML Media TopicsArts, Culture, Entertainment and Media
NetworkVOA
Location (dateline)Abuja, Nigeria
Embargo DateMay 26, 2022 19:59 EDT
Byline((Timothy Obiezu, for VOA News Abuja, Nigeria ))
Brand / Language ServiceVoice of America - English
