Empowering Persons With Albinism Post Covid 19 Through Inclusive Policies and Services in Machakos County

Our perpetual project in Machakos County dubbed "Empowering the Lives of Persons with Albinism Post-COVID-19 Through Inclusive Policies and Services," is making tremendous and remarkable progress in addressing the multifaceted challenges confronting Persons with (PWDs), particularly those with albinism, in the region.

From our recent forum in the county, we were able to single out specific health challenges that persons with albinism face, come up with strategies to tackle the challenges the following are our finding:

One of the primary hurdles encountered by persons with albinism(PWAs) in Machakos County is the glaring lack of representation, vividly manifested in the absence of PWA representation on the Machakos County PWD Board. This absence severely stagnates the ability of individuals with albinism to effectively articulate their concerns and needs to the relevant bodies. Despite earnest efforts by the county government to activate the board, bureaucratic red tape and administrative delays perpetuate its non-operational status, leaving the voices of persons with albinism largely unheard and their needs unmet.

In the healthcare spectrum, a salient issue emerged—the glaring deficiency in knowledge among healthcare practitioners regarding albinism. According to the forum participants, many healthcare practitioners exhibit a lack of expertise in addressing both the social and medical dimensions of albinism, with dermatologists notably unfamiliar with the specialized skin care requirements of persons with albinism. To address this, the project forum underscored the need for educational initiatives tailored to healthcare professionals. Recommendations encompassed the organization of regular workshops, medical camps, and seminars aimed at updating practitioners on best practices for disability-inclusive healthcare. The objective was to ensure that healthcare providers are adequately equipped to address the specific needs of Persons with Albinism (PWAs) in Machakos County.  

Additionally, mental health emerged as a pressing concern among individuals with albinism, attributable to pervasive societal stigmatization and discrimination. Alarmingly, mental health services are largely inaccessible and unaffordable to persons with albinism in the county. Owing to this, it was noted that there is an urgent need for the implementation of inclusive mental health services to effectively address the mental health challenges faced by PWAs in Machakos County.

Furthermore, the absence of accurate data pertaining to persons with albinism in Machakos County emerged as a significant impediment, hindering the effective provision of essential services such as sunscreen distribution to persons with albinism. Participants fervently stressed the indispensability of updated data to facilitate informed decision-making and efficient service provision. Moreover, the proposition of digitizing this data was advanced to enhance its accessibility and utility.

To confront these multifaceted challenges head-on, an array of strategic interventions was proposed and some so far executed. These encompassed concerted efforts to engage Chief Executive Committee Members and Chief Officers to address representation issues, fervently advocating for the activation of the county PWD Board, initiating constructive dialogue with the County Assembly and the public health department, and championing policy changes through petitions and peaceful demonstrations. 

Moreover, recognizing the significance of financial resources in effecting meaningful change, the project embraced training sessions on fundraising to galvanize support and secure the necessary financial backing for advocacy endeavors. Concurrently, participants were equipped with valuable training on media advocacy, arming them with the knowledge and skills to effectively table and propagate the albinism agenda in Machakos County across diverse media channels.  

In summation, Black Albinism has so far made significant towards ensuring that this project is a success. Through collaborative endeavors and strategic initiatives, the project endeavors to foster a more inclusive and supportive environment for PWAs in the county, thereby empowering them to lead lives of dignity, fulfillment, and opportunity.