Each 13 June, the world is reminded that people with albinism deserve to have their rights to life and security protected. Persons with albinism routinely face ongoing hurdles and challenges to their human rights, ranging from stigma and discrimination, to barriers in health and education.
In that case, the Liberia Albino Society- join the rest of the world to celebrates the International Albinism Awareness day at the Ambassador Christian Fellowship International Church in Sayon, Town, Bushord Island.
Speaking in her special statement in observance of the International Albinism Awareness Day (IAAD) which was held under the theme “United In Making Our Voice Heard” the Executive director of the Liberia Albions Society (LAS) Patricia Logan blasts at the government of Liberia for neglecting its members and failing to provide for their special health needs.
Madam Logan said the inclusive government had done little to address their plight since its formation nearly four years ago, resulting in hundreds of them dying every year due to various health complications such as skin cancer.
Logan, in anger mood express frustration in those lines ministries including the Ministry of Gender Children and Social Protection (MoGCSP) and the Ministry of Health, for paying less attention to people living with Albinism in Liberia, whom are often maginalize and discriminated in the Society.
She said the lack of low budget allocation for people living with Albinism are key obstacles that hindering the growth of the Liberia Albion Society and has bugs of their people are dying. She LAS is struggling to meet the needs of the Albinism, because of the lack of fundings.
The LAS Executive director said despite their voices been heard over the years to emancipate the lives of albinos. For approximately 15- 16 years, they have tried to convince government, yet there isn’t much attention and cares given to Albinism as they are often stigmatized, and discriminated daily with no remedy in sight”.
“Our voices will be heard, look at our awareness days, after so many government officials being invited and said will out t-shirts, only attend our program, we can not see any government official, where is Gender Ministry, Ministry of Health? Whom all were invited and run after just to be here, where are they? Why must Abinos be neglected, only when we are approaching political season, than they come to identify with the marginalised grouping, this shouldn’t be, Madam Logan frowned.
Madam Logan, used the occasion to openly plea to meet President George Manneh Weah, who she believe with kind heart will addressed the numerous challenges face by people living with Albinism.
She blasted at those government officials, who are seeking self- glory from the President are the ones, who are painting block the Government of President George Weah, making the marginalize grouping to feels President Weah is bad leader, She emphasized that Pres. Weah is good man, but is being made to look ugly by people around him.
There are people around the President, who are blocking the marginalize grouping from meeting the president and those are the same people, who don’t want to address our needs, Madam Logan, averred
Logan, stressed she foresee a tought 2023 Election for those Government officials, who feels that they will easily get reelected.
For his part, Montserrado County District #1 Representative Lawrence Morris, urged Government to take immediate action to protect people with Albinism, He noted people with Albinism deserves people lives, than any ordinary human, He too frowned on why albinos are often stigmatize and discriminated.
Rep. Morris further emphasized that Albions are humans like everyone and that like every segment of the society, albinos deserves to be given a fair chance at every instance. The Montserrado lawmaker reaffirmed his commitment to keep advocating for the needs and welfare of people living Albinism.
Representative Morris, said he will continue to push through the Liberian National Legislature to implore government, through the health ministry, to provide basic necessities and implement policies for people living with albinism.
