Government reiterates social support for albinos in Mozambique

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Government reiterates social support for albinos in Mozambique

1:58 CAT | 15 Jun 2018

in file CoM

The government has reiterated its commitment to strengthening measures to combat the abduction, murder and trafficking in the organs of people with albinism, by means of a multi-sectoral strategy which includes increasing the penalties for perpetrators of this type of crime.

The information was forwarded by Carlota Joaquim, inspector of the Ministry of Gender, Child and Social Action, within the framework of International Awareness Day on Albinism celebrations on Wednesday, under the motto “Shining our Light in the World.”

Joaquim noted that there is also provision for the establishment of regional coordination mechanisms, taking into account the cross-border nature and modus operandi of the groups that commit these atrocities.

She pointed out that, in order to mitigate the problems faced by albinos, especially those related to health and social inclusion, the government, through social action, education, justice and health, has social assistance programmes that guarantee their access to services and adequate special care.

She urged society, and especially families, not to discriminate against albinos, “because they are equal to others before the law”.

The Kanimambo association’s Margarida Carneiro indicated that the next step will be to provide consultations and dermatological treatment for more than 100 albino people in the cities of Maputo and Nampula in a campaign in September.

William Tomás, president of the Association of Albinos of Mozambique (ALBIMOZ), pointed to the lack of financial resources as one of the challenges facing initiatives to help albinos, especially those living in the most remote areas.

“Our focus is on the provinces, where there is a general lack of services like dermatology for albinos, unlike in Maputo, but to get there we need money, which is hard to come by,” he said.

Source: Folha de Maputo