As incredible as it may seem, today, in many countries, being albino is stigmatized as it is associated with witchcraft practices or considered a divine punishment, which even carries a high risk for the lives of those affected. This rare genetic condition is characterized by a partial or complete lack of pigmentation in the skin, eyes and hair, which results in high sensitivity to sunlight, severe visual deficiencies and skin problems.
According to UN data, in North America and Europe it affects one in every 17,000 to 20,000 people, of both sexes and all ethnic groups without exception. However, in sub-Saharan Africa the prevalence of this condition is ten times more common due to consanguinity. This, added to the high sun exposure in most countries on the continent and the lack of access to treatments and creams, results in a perfect storm that ends up resulting in an extremely high risk of developing skin cancer.
Eradicating this type of cancer is precisely one of the objectives of the ISDIN dermatological laboratory, a leading company in its sector that has its commitment to the planet and society printed in its DNA, as certified by its BCorp seal. For Juan Naya, CEO of the multinational, the important thing is “to be part of the solution and not the problem when it comes to facing the great challenges that our world and our society face today.”
Along these lines, one of the most notable projects, launched two years ago, takes place in Mozambique, where up to 98% of these people die before the age of 40. If we add to this situation that there are only a ridiculous number of 20 dermatologists in the entire country to serve the 32 million inhabitants that populate it, the situation “is even more dramatic,” as the CEO points out.
In collaboration with the África Directo Foundation, which has been working in Mozambique for years with the community of people with albinism, ISDIN began to offer free sunscreens and training on the importance of photoprotection to reduce the incidence of skin cancer through The education. Annually, 80,000 units are distributed, offering daily sun protection to more than 1,500 people with albinism.
At the same time, explains Naya, they decided to “send international dermatological expeditions every year in which doctors from all over the world could treat patients with albinism, check their skin and perform surgeries on precancerous and cancerous lesions.” An activity that, in just two years, has already saved hundreds of lives in Mozambique. An average of 650 patients have been treated on previous expeditions, and more than 170 surgeries have been performed to remove precancerous lesions or skin cancers in the last year.
According to the scientists’ guidelines, the CEO specifies, the ideal is to carry out dermatological follow-up of cases every six months, which is why expeditions are sent twice a year. As of today, they are already working on the April 2024 one, in which 12 more will be added to the 24 dermatologists who have already worked in the country thanks to the initiative: in this way, the number of dermatologists will more than double. that currently exists in the African country.
Regarding continuity, Naya points out that “our ambition is to eradicate skin cancer in Mozambique. We always work with this objective, and that is why we are already expanding the project to reach more and more cities to be able to serve more people.” They are also dedicating more and more effort to training Mozambican doctors in photoprotection and skin cancer, so that they themselves can prevent the appearance of new cases.
Part of this work is concentrated at the Centro das Mercês, in Maputo, a true point of reference and a refuge for those affected by albinism. Marcelino Peruca, one of the social workers at the center – many of them albinos themselves – affirms that it is not an easy path, “because the person with this condition is not accepted by the community, and many arrived at the center without self-esteem. With the work of the association, however, in a few years the panorama has changed and now some are proud to be albinos,” he points out.
In addition to the Centro das Merces and the central hospital of Maputo, they also reach the most needy areas, such as Xai-Xai, Tete or Massaca, with the help of cooperators. “It is in the most remote areas where there are the most problems,” says Peruca, with even “parents selling their albino child to be able to eat.” Florencio, delegate of the Amor e Vida association in Xai-Xai, regrets that the communities “live in very bad conditions, exposed to the sun, without information on how they have to take care of their skin, not even knowing that they have to wear long-sleeved shirts. or that mothers cannot go to the fields with the child hanging around their necks. Therefore, they have many injuries.”
Although the conditions in which they work, as indicated by the doctors who are part of the project, are far from being optimal, everything possible is done to reverse the situation. Along these lines, the latest missions have made it possible to consolidate treatments at the Xai-Xai Provincial Hospital and train local doctors and nurses. As Fátima, Mercedarian Sister of Charity Centro das Mercês and one of the pillars of this supportive community, categorically states: “We never stop until we find a solution for each case that comes to us.”
People who want to collaborate with this project can do so simply by purchasing the book LOVE YOUR SKIN that ISDIN has recently published together with its community of isdinlovers and which is available at LOVEISDIN.COM and in all El Corte Inglés bookstores. All profits generated by the book go entirely to the project in Mozambique.
