Women Of Dominion International an organisation working to help alleviate the plight of people living with albinism in the country says they are now working with local companies to produce affordable sunscreens that will adequately help those living with the condition.
Speaking at the end of a four day interdenominational conference of Zimbabwean women which ended in Delaware Sunday project director Dr Natsai Zhou said her organisation will now partner with local experts to produce sunscreens locally.
Dr Zhou says before coming up with the idea to produce the sunscreens locally her organization would request those attending their annual conference which is now in its fifth year to donate the products including sun hats and glasses but they have discovered that it will be more beneficial to those living with albinism if the lotions are produced locally.
“We are now hoping to work with a local expert to have the sunscreen and other lotions that are used by those living with albinism so that they are produced locally. This is will assist in coming up with products that are suitable for those living with albinism in Zimbabwe,”said Dr Zhou.
A woman living with albinism Spelile Machingamidze told Voice Of America Studio 7 reporter Marvellous Mhlanga-Nyahuye, she welcomes the move as sunscreens and other skin medications she requires are currently getting unaffordable.
“The cost of imported sunscreen are $30 per tube and those currently produced locally which still need more work put into them cost around $7-$9. The costs are now becoming prohibitive because even lip balm which we need costs $4 and some of us living with albinism now find ourselves going without some of the products due to escalating costs. We hope that Women Of Dominion International will find the necessary funding to help in the production of some of these products locally that we can afford,” said Ms Machingamidze.
Dr Zhou says Women Of Dominion International has partnered with a local organization of people living with albinism Albino Charity Organisation Of Zimbabwe (Alcoz), which has over 800 members including women and children. The organisation is led by Loveness Mainato who herself has some children living with albanism.
