The Ekiti State Government through the activities of its Counselling, Special Education and Social Inclusion Office has been accused of treating the welfare of albinos in the state with levity.

Pointedly, the office created by the State Government to cater for the general welfare ? physical and psycho-social needs of sufferers in the state ? is accused of making vague ?promises to PWAs without tangible interventions? to fulfil them.

Consequently, a concerned stakeholder has called upon the State Government under the watch of Governor Biodun Oyebanji to demonstrate its commitments to promoting the welfare and inclusion of PWAs in the state.

Information at the disposal of News Express has it that in spite of the special roles the Social Inclusion Office, has to play in promoting the welfare and inclusion of PWAs in the state, the office has failed woefully to live up to expectations, thereby raising concerns in many quarters about the office's plans and programmes towards supporting PWAs in Ekiti.

In a statement issued on May 8, Amb. Muyiwa Abegunde, Pioneer & Executive Lead, Albinism Network, Ekiti State, identified some areas of ?concerns? where the government has not lived up to expectations. They include making "deceitful promises to PWAs without tangible interventions... without follow-through actions" and conducting "unapproved medical experiments on Albinos in the state with unspecified dermatologists who may be using PWAs as experimental subjects without approval from the Ekiti State Ministry of Health.?

"This is particularly alarming given the high incidences of skin cancer among PWAs in Nigeria," Amb. Muyiwa Abegunde said.

Going forward in the "Call to Action" message, Abegunde identified four areas towards righting the wrongs and creating a more robust relationship between the state and PWAs, namely: that government should "Deliver on Promise, such that promises made to PWAs are backed by tangible interventions and supports; Prioritize PWA Welfare, with focus on providing meaningful supports and services that address the specific needs of PWAs; Ensure Transparency on any partnerships or collaborations with medical professionals, ensuring that PWAs are not used as experimental subjects without their consent and approval from relevant authorities, and Collaborate with relevant stakeholders, such as the Ministry of Health and other relevant stakeholders to ensure that PWAs receive proper medical care and support.?

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