The Association of Persons with Albinism in Malawi (APAM) has expressed concern over the high number of 52 deaths of persons with albinism due to skin cancer since 2020 in the country.

APAM President Young Muhamba has called on the government to provide sunscreen lotions to protect them from the disease.

However, Saulos Mhlanga, Country Director for Beyond Suncare, has pledged to continue providing the sunscreen lotion called Umodzi Max for free in collaboration with the Ministry of Health.

Studies show that in Africa, most persons with albinism die by the age of 40 due to skin cancer.

According to the Malawi 2018 Population and Housing Census (PHC) reports, there were approximately 134,000 persons with albinism in the country