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By Peter Odhiambo
GOMA,DRC- Goma is set to host the World Vitiligo Day on July 8th. This significant event was announced by Mr. Myatsi Benjamin, who serves as the President of the Congolese Vitiligo Association (ACV), and it will be held under the theme “From Stigma to Strength.”
Mr. Benjamin is positioning the summit as a direct call for international NGOs to integrate dermatological care into humanitarian and mental health programs in conflict -affected regions.
“In the DRC, especially in the eastern part of the country, people living with vitiligo face stigma, discrimination, misinformation,limited access to quality dermatological care and psychological support,” Mr. Benjamin stated.
In North Kivu, people with vitiligo face double burden: conflict and severe social inclusion.Misconception about this autoimmune condition often lead to list livelihoods and deep psychological trauma. By bringing the global spotlight to GOMA,the ACV aims to prove that targeted health advocacy can restore human dignity in fragile states.
“GOMA is a city of immense resilience,” Mr Benjamin emphasized. “Hosting this event here proves that our people are not just victims of the crisis but leaders of global health transformation. We are turning our collective pain into power.”
Backed by the World Health Organization(WHO) and UN Sustainable Development Goals, ACV has built a heavy-hitting coalition with VIPOC, GlobalSkin, World Patients Alliance, NORD, Rene Touraine Foundation, Vitiligo Research Foundation, ICHOM Patient Partner Alliance, French Vitiligo Association and official brand partner MASSE WORLD.
While World Vitiligo Day is traditionally observed on 25th June the ACV is leading a science-driven campaign to debunk local fallacies and eliminate bias in anticipation of the summit on 8th July.
Their core message emphasizes several key truths: One, Vitiligo is a medical condition that is not contagious. Second, a person’s worth, intellect and dignity remain unchanged by variations in skin pigmentation. Third, individuals with vitiligo are entitled to the same social and economic prospects as everyone else.
“Let me be absolutely clear,” Mr. Benjamin concluded. “Vitiligo is not a curse and not contiguous. Our skin might lose its pigment but our people never lose their dignity or their value. It is time for the world to stop looking at our skin and start seeing strength.”
Mr Benjamin and the ACV invite Ministries and Public Institutions of the DRC,International Donors,Human Rights Observers, Universities and Professional Societies and people living with vitiligo to Goma this July to back this historic movement.
