Persons with albinism receive security gadgets
BY EZELINA KAMALIZA
Association of Persons with Albinism (Apam) has urged traditional leaders to be proactive in safeguarding the lives of persons with albinism.
Apam president Ian Simbota said this during the handover ceremony of security gadgets to people with albinism.
The security gadgets have a panic button with an alarm which rings when pressed.It is expected that all persons with albinism will have the gadgets with them all the time.
The ceremony was held at Ntambanyama Primary School in Thyolo.
Simbota said traditional leaders should be key in sensitising their communities about the rights of persons with albinism and ensuring that they are living in a safe environment.
He said issues of dealing with the killing and abduction of persons with albinism cannot be left to the government and other development partners to address but precaution measures should be enforced by all.
“As much as it is a matter of national interest, if the measures to protect persons with albinism are not enforced from the grassroots, all the efforts may be jeopardised,” Simbota said.
Guest of honour at the event, Minister of Gender, Children, Disability and Social Welfare Mary Navicha said the government will make sure that every person with albinism has the gadget so as to increase security for them.
“The government in collaboration with the police will make sure that the gadgets are replaced in cases where they are damaged, and the government will continue with the project to ensure that all students with albinism in secondary school are transferred to boarding schools for their security,” Navicha said.
During the event, 30 security gadgets including sunscreen lotion and umbrellas were distributed to persons with albinism.
Since 2014, there have been attacks on people with albinism in the country which left at least 22 people with albinism killed.
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