People born with albinism; a genetic disorder characterized by the complete or partial absence of pigment in the skin, hair and eyes – are sharing their testimonies at the inaugural Fiji Albinism Symposium in Suva.
One in every seven hundred people in the world today is an albino.
Dr Simione Nadakuitavuki – a person born with the disorder told the gathering of the challenges he has had to ensure for being what locals call as ‘rea.’
“We would often be teased a lot. We would often be discriminated at times. I guess it’s not their fault. It’s just the lack of awareness. This is one thing that I an appreciative about for the organizers of this symposium; at least we can get people to be aware of those born with albinism. Albinism is not a disease. A disease is something you acquire along the way, it is a genetic disorder.”
The Turaga na Taukei Navo, Ratu Meli Saukuru, another person born with the disorder also shared his testimony.
The two-day symposium sees over fifty care givers, parents and health professionals mull over and discuss ways of adequately catering for the needs of persons with Albinism