By Joseph Kabia
A leading Kenyan Ophthalmologist Dr. Prabha Choksey, founder of Dr. Choksey Albinism Foundation has said ophthalmologists can prevent the development of amblyopia or lazy eye among children living with albinism.
Albinism is a disorder of melanin pigment metabolism which is characterized by white hair, milky white skin and translucent irises.
She stated that Albinism is a genetic condition that is passed on to a child when both parents are carriers of the albinism gene.
Scientifically, Albinism is divided into two broad categories of Oculocutneous albinism, which affects both the skin and the eyes, and Ocular albinism that is only found in males affecting their eyes only.
According to Dr. Chokesy Albinism Foundation, the frequency of albinism in the world is one in 7,000 to one in 20,000 births. The incidence is said to be higher in African countries because of the tropical climate.
“An ophthalmologist, or eye specialist, plays an important role in detecting albinism, preventing the development of amblyopia or lazy eye, and monitoring visual development,” she states.
Individuals with albinism are sensitive to sunlight and develop sunburn easily. In tropical countries, there is increased incidence of skin cancer due to the higher exposure to the sun.
“Albinos are advised to use sunscreen and wear protective clothing. They should also avoid being in direct sunlight without hats,” she says.
The Ophthalmologist laments that ignorance about the condition in the society especially about the recessive gene of albinism, which must be carried by both parents for a child to be born with albinism, has led to large number of children being brought up in broken families.
“A chance encounter with an albino child in 2007 made me realize the need to reach out to children many of whom were forced to attend blind schools without being examined by eye specialists and providing them with glasses. There were about 70-80 percent of Albino children studying in schools for the blind,” she stated.
Since then, Dr. Choksey has been offering free Ophthalmic services and providing the Albino children with free photo chromatic glasses courtesy of benefactors like a Mr. Zool Nlmji of 3Z Foundation and others that have helped her reach out to over 1000 people in Kenya.
The photo chromatic prescription glasses remarkably improves the sight and helps in keeping the eyes open without squint in sunlight for all persons with albinism.
“Dr. Choksey Albinism Foundation is a charitable trust established in Kenya to reach out to people especially children with Albinism. The motto of the foundation is ‘Help Ever Hurt Never.’ Our vision is a society in which persons with albinism are fully integrated, appreciated and empowered,” she said in an interview with Health Business.
NIC bank is the main supporter of Dr. Choksey Albinism Foundation education sector that has helped to educate 80 children per year.
“Through donor support in the school sponsorship programs, the foundation supports quality education in private and regular schools for children with albinism from low socio economic background, orphans, single parent and children living with grandmothers,” she said.
But her humility, benevolence, compassion and spirituality, learnt from her parents Dr. CA Gursahani and Sarla Gursahani in India, earned her the title ‘Mama’ for children living with albinism and a state commendation with the Moran of the Order of the Burning Spear (M.B.S) by former President Mwai Kibaki in 2012.
In the same year she was awarded Bharat Jyoti Award in New Delhi, India and Gem of India Award, Bangkok, Thailand from India International Friendship Society.
She is also a proud recipient of ‘Under the Same Sun’s 2016 Bari Bari Prize’ for outstanding Albinism Advocacy that is installed in the memory of Ambassador Yusuf Mohamed Ismail Bari Bari of the UN who was a fighter for Human Rights of Persons with Albinism worldwide.
She says that her organization is actively involved in raising awareness about Albinism in the World. “My mission is to give a life of honour and dignity to every Person with Albinism,” she told BBC News Africa this year.
Born in 1951 in India, Dr Choksey says she has found her purpose, which is to improve the quality of life of the children with Albinism.
“I have had the most rewarding and fulfilling career both in Kenya and in India. My mother the late Sarladevi Gursahani is my inspiration. She taught me that holding the ladder for others to climb gives you more happiness, and that spirituality and benevolence lie at the source of all achievements in life.”
She says that there is a lot of ignorance and indifference to the needs of people with Albinism and “our mission is to prove that persons with albinism can exploit their full potential. I believe that given an opportunity children with albinism can become doctors, lawyers, engineers and so on.”
From her experience in the medical profession, she feels that there is more fulfilment in philanthropic work.
“Doctors need to be more actively involved by finding a cause that is of interest to them personally and which is of benefit to society.” In her opinion, such engagement should also be a criteria used when awarding CME points to doctors.
Citing Marcus Cicero, she says, “It is not by muscle or speed or physical dexterity that great things are achieved. But by reflection, force of character and judgement. In these qualities old age is not only poorer but it is even richer.”
