Beyond Suncare: Combating skin cancer and stigma for people with albinism in Uganda

The objective

To deliver skin cancer prevention and care for 800 people with albinism across 14 districts in Uganda, while training 175 health professionals, strengthening public health services, and embedding long-term support into the national healthcare system.

The issue

In Uganda, people with albinism (PWA) face extreme discrimination and one of the highest rates of skin cancer in the world – with 80% dying before the age of 40 due to preventable conditions. A lack of dermatologists, limited access to sunscreen, and widespread misinformation leave many PWAs without basic health protection or care.

Beyond Suncare is a health and rights organisation dedicated to addressing this crisis. Building on three years of Croda Foundation support, this final phase of their work in Uganda expands their successful model to five new districts, while embedding care services into national health systems.

The initiative is co-led with Ugandan albinism associations EFPA and Albinism Umbrella (AU), whose members are both beneficiaries and leaders in the programme’s delivery.

The partner: Beyond Suncare

Beyond Suncare is an international NGO working across Sub-Saharan Africa to promote health equity and inclusion for people with albinism. Recognised by the UN as a Best Practice model, the organisation provides medical care, awareness, and advocacy to transform lives and systems with local ownership and sustainability at its core.

Find out more at beyondsuncare.org

The project

With a grant of £75,000 over 18 months, the Croda Foundation is supporting Beyond Suncare’s expanded work across 26 districts in Eastern and Central Uganda, focusing on:

• 800 people with albinism (PWA) provided with regular dermatological check-ups, 12,800 customised sunscreen lotions, sun hats, sunglasses, and surgery or palliative care when needed
• 175 healthcare workers trained on albinism, dermatological care, and skin cancer prevention – including three surgical training workshops in partnership with the Uganda Association of Surgeons
• 14 health centres equipped to deliver quarterly skin clinics for PWA
• 88 local leaders and community-based organisations trained to independently run the programme and act as long-term advocates
• 18 radio broadcasts and 6 International Albinism Awareness Day events reaching 1.2 million people with positive messaging and stigma-reduction

Impact

• 800 people with albinism receive ongoing clinical care and protection
  
• 175 health professionals trained in albinism care, dermatology and surgery
• 88 community leaders equipped to continue delivery post-funding
• Over 1.2 million people reached with awareness campaigns
• 65% reduction in skin cancer incidence projected
• 56% increase in health-seeking behaviour by PWA since project launch
• Surgical capacity strengthened in national referral hospitals
• Programme embedded in 26 district-level health centres