Gweru & Bulawayo, Zimbabwe – In a country where healthcare access remains a pressing challenge, a beacon of hope has emerged for one of the most vulnerable groups, persons with albinism (PWA). The Noble Hands Zimbabwe Trust, with support from the Pierre Fabre Foundation, recently conducted two pilot mobile skin cancer clinics at Gweru Provincial Hospital and Mpilo Central Hospital that provided free screenings, minor surgeries, biopsies, cryotherapy, and sun protection resources to over 170 persons with albinism, many of whom were being examined for the very first time in their lives. Albinism is a rare genetic condition where a person is born without melanin, the pigment that protects skin from the sun’s harmful rays. Without adequate protection, PWA are extremely vulnerable to sunburn, blistering, and, ultimately, skin cancer. Global research indicates that people with albinism face a 1,400% higher risk of developing melanoma and a 200% higher risk of non-melanoma skin cancers.
In Zimbabwe, this risk is worsened by poverty, limited awareness, and a weak public health system. With only two dermatologists in the entire country, both based in Harare, most rural-dwelling PWA live their entire lives without seeing a specialist or accessing protective resources like sunscreen.
A Life-Changing Outreach
The mobile clinics were held on 30 November 2024 (Gweru) and 7 December 2024 (Bulawayo), reaching participants from as far as Gweru, Mberengwa, Gokwe, Nkayi, Binga Plumtree, and Hwange. Partnering with top Zimbabwean dermatologists, surgeons, oncologists, (Dr I. Mutangadura (MD), Dr R. Makondo, Dr W. Manana, Dr Takuva) and dedicated hospital staff, the Trust was able to offer:
- 176 skin screenings
- 62 cryotherapy treatments
- 15 biopsies
- 8 minor surgeries
- Distribution of 450 sunscreen tubes, 380 lip balms, and 300 sun hats
“For many of the participants, it was the first time seeing a skin specialist,” said a nurse from Gweru Hospital. “We saw tears of relief. Some brought their children. Others came from remote villages, walking over 10km to reach us.”
Stories of Impact
Among the patients was Simon , a 27-year-old artisanal miner from Binga. He had developed lesions on his face and back but could not afford the +$300 needed for a biopsy at a private clinic. Through the mobile clinic, he did not only receive a biopsy but underwent a major facial surgery, completely free of charge.
“I thought I was going to die,” Simon said. “But now, I have hope.”
Barriers Remain, But So Does Hope
The project also revealed deep-rooted challenges, including cultural myths that skin cancer is a spiritual curse, families hiding children with albinism, poor cellular reception in rural areas, and logistical barriers caused by rough terrain. “We still have a long way to go,” said the Executive Director of The Noble Hands Zimbabwe Trust. “But these mobile clinics showed us what’s possible when compassion, science, and community come together.” A survey conducted during the project found that 93% of participants had never been screened before, and over 70% were unemployed. Many depend on subsistence farming and donations, and over 50% abandon medical treatment because of unaffordable costs.
The Road Ahead
The Noble Hands Zimbabwe Trust recommends:
- Establishing a dedicated Skin Cancer Referral Clinic in Bulawayo
- Training rural health workers on early skin cancer detection and albinism-related care
- Equipping the Trust with a mobile clinic vehicle to reach remote communities
- Sustained biannual mobile outreaches to monitor and prevent skin cancer progression
- Continued education campaigns in schools, churches, and rural gatherings
The Trust also calls for urgent investment into Zimbabwe’s ailing health system. As of this report, no functional radiotherapy machines are available in public hospitals nationwide.
Gratitude and a Call to Action
The Noble Hands Zimbabwe Trust expresses deep gratitude to the Pierre Fabre Foundation, Zimplats, Mpilo Central Hospital, Gweru Provincial Hospital, Ministry of Health and Child Care, Maxillo Facial Surgeons and Dermatology Laser Centre, TNHZT provincial and district coordinators, community volunteers, and every individual who contributed to the success of these clinics. Your support has not only saved lives but also restored dignity, provided comfort, and illuminated a path forward for an underserved community. As climate change continues to intensify heat waves across Zimbabwe, skin cancer among persons with albinism is no longer a silent crisis, it is an emergency. With continued collaboration, innovation, and empathy, we can change this narrative.
Let’s join hands keep fighting skin cancer together. One clinic, one life, one village at a time.
