Tanzania allocates 90M shillings for albinism skin cancer prevention

The Tanzanian government has allocated 90 million shillings for the procurement of sunscreen to protect people with albinism from skin cancer. The funds are designated for the 2025/26 fiscal year and will be managed through the Medical Stores Department (MSD).

During the opening of the National Coordination and Implementation Forum for the National Action Plan for the Rights and Welfare of People with Albinism (MTHUWWU) in Dar es Salaam, Minister of State Professor Palamagamba Kabudi emphasized that the plan must move beyond documentation into practical, timely implementation. The plan is built on four pillars: protection, prevention, equality and non-discrimination, and accountability.

To date, 339 bottles of sunscreen have already been distributed in the Arusha and Kilimanjaro regions. The government also reported having approximately 403 skin specialists in local councils and 98 dermatologists in regional and referral hospitals to support these efforts.