Luanda - Around 2,000 people with genetic diseases, characterised by the total or partial absence of melanin (albinos), are being monitored by the National Health System (SNS), the secretary of State for the Hospital Area, Leonardo Inocêncio, said Thursday in Luanda.
According to the official, protection involves access to adequate health services, dermatological and ophthalmological care, medical monitoring, psychological support and education about the risks to their health.
Speaking at the forum on albinism from a human rights perspective, the government official said that there are an estimated 6,818 people with albinism in Angola.
"We are committed and working to guarantee this health care, resources, education and psychological support for all persons with albinism in Angola," he said.
Leonardo Inocêncio said that albinism is a vulnerability factor, contributing to the majority of people in this group facing prejudice and stigmatisation, as well as multiple forms of discrimination based on skin colour.
"These factors prevent people with albinism from exercising their economic and social rights, forcing them into isolation," he emphasised adding that albinos around the world often face social exclusion, prejudice and discrimination from childhood onwards.
For Leonardo Inocêncio, people with albinism should have opportunities in various social areas, such as health, education, training and employment, in order to build a more inclusive and equitable society.
On his turn, the secretary of State for Human Rights and Citizenship, Ana Celeste Januário, said that two important documents had been approved this year, namely the Plans for the Inclusion of People with Disabilities and the Protection of People with Albinism (PAPPA).
In this regard, she said that they are working on the implementation of these plans, which aim to include this group and promote their rights.
The communicologist Celso Malavoloneke spoke about the approval of the Plan for the Protection of Persons with Albinism 2023-2027 (PAPPA - 2027), whose Presidential Decree has already been published in the State Gazette.
The plan, which is part of the competences and attributions of the National Council for Social Action (CNAS), will make it possible to implement the sector's tasks with a view to supporting, protecting and realising the legitimate rights and interests of persons with albinism and their representative institutions.
To this end, 13 areas have been prioritised with the aim of supporting and protecting persons with albinism, namely education, training awareness, health, public order and tranquillity, transport, research, as well as actions in the fields of justice administration, higher education, science, information technology, sports, social inclusion, culture, protection, social security, housing and accessibility to work.
The programme provides for inclusive, quality school education, access to higher education, sport as a tool for social integration, culture, protection policies and laws to combat stigma and discrimination, research and the production of statistical data.
It is valued at more than 47 billion kwanzas. It is in line with the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, the 2030 Agenda of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals and the Action Plan on Albinism in Africa.
Albinism is a genetic disease characterised by the total or partial absence of melanin (the pigment responsible for colouring the skin, hair and eyes).
People with albinism have very white skin and extremely light-coloured eyes, hair, eyelashes and other body hair.
The main cause of albinism is a genetic alteration that affects the production of melanin, and the mutated gene must be inherited from both mother and father for the disease to manifest.
EVC/OHA/MRA/jmc
