Luanda - The Angolan government is to step up its efforts to safeguard the dignity, right to protection and social integration of people with albinism by implementing a Support Plan for this group by 2027.
The Plan for the Protection of Persons with Albinism 2023-2027 (PAPPA - 2027), whose Presidential Decree was published in the Diário da República on the 9th of this month, aims to create conditions for the implementation of objectives in favour of all citizens.
The plan, which falls within the competences and attributions of the National Council for Social Action (CNAS), will also enable sectoral tasks to be carried out, with a view to supporting, protecting and materialising the rights and legitimate interests of persons with albinism and their representative institutions.
In this regard, the areas of education, health, public order and tranquillity, transport, investigative research and monitoring and human rights reports have been prioritised in the support and protection of persons with albinism.
This plan (PAPPA) also prioritises actions in the areas of administration of justice and victim assistance, legislation, higher education, science, information technology, sport - social inclusion, culture, social protection and security, housing and labour accessibility.
In order to achieve the specific objectives, the plan has also defined strategic intervention areas that will support the priority sectors of support and protection for persons with albinism.
These are universal access to medical care and medication, civic education, awareness and literacy and social action.
The programme provides for inclusive and quality school education, access to higher education, sport as a tool for social integration, culture, protection policies and laws to combat stigma and discrimination, research and the production of statistical data.
The programme is valued at forty-seven billion, three hundred and twenty-nine million, two hundred and ninety-three thousand and forty-nine kwanzas. It is aligned with the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, Agenda 2030 of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals and the Action Plan on Albinism in Africa.
Albinism is a genetic disorder characterised by the total or partial absence of melanin (the pigment responsible for colouring the skin, hair and eyes).
People with albinism have very white skin and extremely light-coloured eyes, hair, eyelashes and other body hair.
The main cause of albinism is a genetic alteration that affects the production of melanin, and it is necessary for the mutated gene to be inherited from both the father and the mother for the condition to manifest itself.
EVC/OHA/DAN/jmc
