Sunscreen & Skin Clinic
Skincare
Rigorous skin care from an early age is the key to living a long and safe life with albinism in Sierra Leone. At SLAPWA we are pleased to provide free sunscreen through our partnership with Altruist Sunscreen; this is available from our Freetown office and can be delivered throughout the country via our network of support workers and volunteers. Contact our Helpline on 00232 76429890 if you require sunscreen. This is available entirely free of charge and you will never be asked to pay for it.
Sunscreen and a protective hat prevents skin damage which can lead to skin cancer in the long term.
Dr Atika
Once a month we run a skin clinic, delivered by health workers trained by Dr Atika, a volunteer Dermatologist who worked with SLAPWA for two years. We have an electrocautery machine which can remove lesions; the nurse also leads on taking care of patients who have had surgery for the removal of tumours and require regular dressing.
Dr Atika examines a patient and provides dermatological cream donated by MASL for managing skin abrasions.
The aims of our clinic activities are:
- To deliver basic and accessible skin cancer treatment for people with albinism;
- To promote and encourage healthy skin care amongst the albinism community;
- To contribute directly towards a reduction in the 80% mortality rate of people with albinism before the age of 40 years.
When funds allow, we also run ‘Living Safely With Albinism’ forums across the country. These sessions involve presentations and discussions to provide accurate information about skin and eye care and to distribute donated cream, along with sun-protection hats and donated protective clothing. We always welcome donations of wide-brimmed hats and sunglasses for our members.
The rise in global temperatures is increasing the risk of skin cancer for people with albinism. SLAPWA is working with the Mayor of Freetown and Freetown City Council (Freetown City Council – Capital City of Sierra Leone (fcc.gov.sl)) to raise awareness of the impact of climate change on people with albinism.
Eyecare
Many complex eye problems are common in people with albinism, including:
- Light sensitivity (photophobia);
- Refractive errors (astigmatism, myopia, hyperopia);
- Nystagmus – Involuntary movement of the eyes (this can lead to abnormal head positioning);
- Strabismus – Misalignment of the eyes;
- Foveal hypoplasia – A retinal disorder that reduces visual acuity;
- Optic nerve misrouting – Signals from the retina to the brain don’t follow the normal paths;
- Iris transillumination – Lack of pigment allows light to enter through the iris, not just the pupil;
- Monocular vision – Absence of stereo (or binocular) vision, the ability of the eyes to work together;
- Low vision – Best corrected visual acuity of 20/70 or worse.
It is sometimes possible to partly correct some albinism-related vision problems with eyeglasses and SLAPWA can support individuals to access glasses through our partnership with local company Apex and support from international partners. However, many of the eye issues stem from having abnormally developed retinas and misrouting optic nerves, which cannot be fixed with surgery or glasses.
With or without glasses, most people with albinism have to hold text very close to their eyes to read it clearly and comfortably. In bright light, children with albinism find it more difficult to see and distinguish detail. In such conditions, it will take them longer to complete tasks involving reading and writing. Some students also struggle to judge distances and speeds. As a result, they may have difficulties with fast-moving sports.
It is important therefore that people with albinism are supported with accommodation in the classroom, at work and in the community. Quality sunglasses and tinted lenses, along with wide-brimmed hats, are very helpful for reducing the impact of light sensitivity. Larger font sizes in school and work materials, and a range of accommodations at school and at work can enable people with albinism to live a full life.
SLAPWA distributes hundreds of sunglasses and hats annually to children and adults with albinism, from the Freetown office, via the support groups and at the ‘Living Safely with Albinism’ forums. Contact us on our Helpline below if you require these items.
Visitors are welcome
We have our Head Office in Freetown (see image here of the signboard on Station Road; we are located up the hill) and small teams based in Makeni and in Bo, coordinating activities and volunteers in the provinces.
Address
34D Off Station Road, Furniture, Mayeimi Barracks, Allen Town, Freetown
Helpline
00232 76429890
The Director: slapwa.sl@gmail.com
Social
Resources
Our guide for people with albinism in Sierra Leone, aimed at both people with albinism and those who care for them, is available below for downloading and paper copies can be collected from our office.
Our educational resources are available for downloading at School Work and Resources, and hard copies are available from our office.
Albinism Booklet for Teachers
Understanding Albinism
Design your
own poster
