By Takudzwa Changadeya
The tragic death of 35-year-old Chipo Chigova, a mother of seven from Lower Gweru, has tragically exposed the profound neglect faced by people with albinism in Zimbabwe.
Albinism is a genetic condition characterized by a lack of melanin pigment in the skin, hair, and eyes, rendering individuals highly vulnerable to sun exposure and significantly increasing their risk of skin cancer.
Chipo succumbed to advanced skin cancer on December 29, 2024, after enduring years of battling the disease without access to critical healthcare, such as sunscreen lotion and early cancer screening, which could have potentially saved her life. Her story was poignantly shared by Marvellous Tshuma, Albinism Konnect Ambassador and representative of The Noble Hands Zimbabwe Trust, in a heartbreaking social media post.
“She was employed at Romac Farm since her youth and married there. When I interviewed her in September of this year, she indicated that she had never had access to sunscreen lotions or received any information about skin cancer,” wrote Tshuma.
Chipo dedicated most of her life to strenuous manual labor, including cutting firewood and weeding fields, to support her family. Despite her extreme vulnerability to sun exposure, she often had to rely on Vaseline or nothing at all to protect her skin. This lack of preventative care significantly exacerbated her condition, which remained untreated until it tragically progressed to an advanced stage.
“This is yet another heartbreaking loss to skin cancer resulting from the government’s failure to provide regular screenings, sunscreen lotions, and access to knowledgeable healthcare professionals in our clinics and hospitals,” stated Tshuma. “The fundraisers we conduct are merely a drop in the ocean. The government of Zimbabwe has abdicated its responsibility, particularly to my community of individuals with albinism.”
Efforts to assist Chipo in 2023 through Albinism Konnect were unfortunately disrupted due to her pregnancy at the time, making treatment potentially risky. By the time she gave birth in 2024, the cancer had unfortunately progressed to an advanced stage. Although the organization provided intermittent support with food, medication, and sunscreen, it proved insufficient to halt the aggressive progression of the disease.
The ongoing drought further exacerbated her circumstances, forcing her to continue working despite her deteriorating health until mid-2024 when she became bedridden.
“She endured immense pain during her final days. Due to the lack of access to sunscreen, screening, and timely treatment, we tragically lost her,” Tshuma lamented. “I also fear that this may be my own fate. Personally, I am deeply traumatized by witnessing the suffering and loss of life within my community in the countryside.”
As Chipo is laid to rest in Lower Gweru, her tragic passing serves as a damning indictment of Zimbabwe’s healthcare system and the government’s blatant disregard for the needs of marginalized communities.
Tshuma urgently called for significant reforms, stating, “We require regular skin screenings at least twice a year. Hospitals and clinics must employ at least one healthcare professional with specialized knowledge of albinism and skin cancer to facilitate timely referrals. More lives can be saved.”
Chipo’s tragic death serves as a stark reminder of the critical and urgent need for compassion and accountability from the country’s leaders.
In Zimbabwe, the prevalence of albinism is substantial, with the 2022 Population and Housing Census recording over 9,747 individuals living with the condition. Individuals with albinism in Zimbabwe face a multitude of significant challenges, including limited access to healthcare services and essential protective resources such as sunscreen. Furthermore, the exorbitant cost of protective products, such as sunscreens and hats, further exacerbates their vulnerability to skin-related health issues.
