Namibia marks World Vitiligo Day with call to end stigma and support those living with condition

Staff Reporter

HEALTH experts and a person living with vitiligo have called for greater awareness, education and support for people affected by the condition, as Namibia commemorated World Vitiligo Day under the theme “From Stigma to Strength, Many Shades, One Voice”.

The information-sharing session, hosted by the Government Information Centre (GIC) in collaboration with the Namibia Institute of Pathology (NIP) and the Department of Dermatology at Windhoek Central Hospital under the Ministry of Health and Social Services, focused on raising awareness about vitiligo, correcting misconceptions and promoting acceptance.

Dermatologist Dr Niita Haitembu explained that vitiligo is a skin condition in which the skin loses its colour due to the destruction of melanocytes, the cells responsible for producing skin pigment.

She stressed that vitiligo is not contagious and can affect anyone regardless of age, although it is usually acquired later in life rather than being present from birth.