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Fiji's baffling albinism...

Film highlights Fiji's baffling rate of albinism
Thu, 15 Dec 2016 - An Australian filmmaker shines a light on the unusually high level of albinism in Fiji.

Fiji is a popular destination for travellers in search of tropical beaches and sunshine, but many visitors would be unaware the country struggles with an unusually high rate of albinism. A new film has highlighted the issue, writes Ben Collins. Christine Nestel called Fiji's largest television station to ask if she could use footage from a talent programme. It was, she explained, for her documentary Coming Out of the Shadows. The clip shows Laisa Bulatale, a woman with albinism and one of the subjects of Nestel's film. She was eventually put through to the CEO of Fiji TV Geoffrey Smith.

He viewed her trailer and was so interested in the project, which is about the genetic condition, he said not only could she use the footage — he wanted to screen her film across the country. Fiji has one of the highest rates of albinism in the world. According to the United Nations' independent expert on albinism Ikponwosa Ero, the relatively rare, non-contagious condition is genetically inherited. It affects people worldwide regardless of ethnicity or gender, and prevents the body producing a pigment called melanin. In order for a person to have albinism, both parents must carry the gene. In that case, there is a 25% chance that a child will be born with albinism at each pregnancy, says Ms Ero.

Esala Seru, right, watching television with his brother​

In Europe and North America, it estimated between 1 in 17,000 and 1 in 20,000 have albinism, she says. In some indigenous populations in South America, the frequency is as high as 1 in 70, while selected populations in sub-Saharan Africa have recorded between 1 in 1,000 and 1 in 1,500. But, as Ms Ero explains: "An important caveat is that studies of the frequency of albinism often lack objectivity in their methodology or are incomplete, rendering estimates as best guesses in most instances."

Reason for prevalence 'unclear'

The frequency of albinism in certain parts of the Pacific is reported to be 1 in 700. Despite its prevalence in Fiji, the condition is not well understood there. That's a problem for children with the condition, who, Nestel says, fall behind in school as it affects their eyesight. This creates a cycle, in which people with albinism get poor grades and are left with little option but to work outdoors, exposing them to the harsh sun and an increased risk of life-threatening skin cancers. "One of the big pushes with raising awareness in Fiji is to make sure the children get a good education and get indoor jobs," Nestel, an Australian filmmaker, tells the BBC. "When we were talking to people, they really wanted to get the idea out there that the children need help. That was the most important thing in their lives — that their children need a good education."

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