cryogenic treatment whenever necessary and provided with sun hats,
sunscreens and referrals for surgery.
331. According to the Respondent State, different hospitals and health centres
within the Respondent State provide medical care to PWA including the
supply of sunscreen lotion.
332. The amici submit that the right to health is indispensable in the exercise of
other human rights. The amici further submit that the right to health includes
ensuring the right to access health facilities, goods, and services on nondiscriminatory basis, especially for vulnerable or marginalised groups. It
also includes, the provision of essential drugs to those who need them, and
widely accessible education, and information for disease prevention and
control.
333. According to the amici, the health care treatment of PWA must include
access to regular skin care screening and treatment services as skin cancer
is one of the most preventable cancers if detected earlier. Also, that if the
skin cancer is not detected earlier then cancer patients end up paying for
inpatient treatment such as surgery, transfusions, and for diagnostics
investigations and other medications which poses a barrier in the access of
cancer care.
334. The amici further state that due to discriminatory attitudes in health care
centres, some PWA have faced barriers in accessing health care centres.
In this regard, PWA have been refused treatment and even ignored.
Furthermore, that women who gave birth to children with albinism had to
deal with stigma, were subject to breaches of confidentiality and did not
receive timely access to health-related education and information including
on prevention of skin cancer.
335. In relation to mental health, the amici submit that stigma, stereotypes,
prejudices and social exclusion experienced by PWA in their families,
immediate community and from society can cumulatively have a detrimental
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