A 15-year-old student from Zambia, Mwape Chimpampa, is making waves with her groundbreaking natural sunscreen, born from a personal tragedy and a desire to help others living with albinism.

The heartbreaking loss of her father to skin cancer in 2017 ignited a powerful mission for 15-year-old Mwape Chimpampa. Mwape, a secondary school student from Zambia, has channeled her grief into innovation, developing an affordable, “natural” sunscreen aimed particularly at people with albinism who are highly susceptible to the sun’s harmful UV rays.

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Mwape’s father, like herself and her younger sister, lived with albinism. She shared the poignant motivation behind her invention: “My father had albinism like myself and my little sister, but he grew up in a very poor family which could not afford this very expensive sunscreen.” This stark reality underscores the significant barrier that the high cost of conventional sunscreen poses for many in the albino community, especially in regions like Africa where sun exposure is intense and economic hardship is prevalent.

A Natural Solution for a Critical Need
Mwape’s innovative sunscreen stands out for its use of mainly natural, organic materials. Her formula incorporates ingredients such as honey, banana, turmeric, and milk, intentionally avoiding manufactured chemical compounds. This approach not only makes it potentially more accessible but also aligns with a growing global interest in natural products.

After extensive research into different sunscreen formulas and identifying organic replacements, Mwape began initial tests a year later. She bravely used herself, her sister, and six friends as subjects, gathering valuable feedback for refinement. She expressed hope that her unique sunscreen will be available on shelves by the end of this year, a testament to her dedication and the potential impact of her work.

The Broader Fight: Sunscreen as an Essential Medicine
The importance of affordable and accessible sunscreen for individuals with albinism cannot be overstated. Muluka-Anne Miti Drummond, the UN Independent Expert on albinism, highlights the dire statistics: “Research estimates Africans with albinism are up to 1000 times more likely to get skin cancer. Without sunscreen, many may not live past 40.”

Drummond is a leading advocate pushing for the re-inclusion of sunscreen on the World Health Organization’s (WHO) list of essential medicines. This crucial step would acknowledge sunscreen as a vital health necessity, potentially leading to its wider availability and affordability, especially in developing nations where it is most needed.

The WHO recently held its 25th expert committee session on essential medicines in Switzerland to discuss this very amendment, with a decision expected in early July.

Mwape Chimpampa’s ingenuity and compassion offer a beacon of hope for countless individuals. Her natural sunscreen, while beneficial for all skin types, provides a crucial lifeline for people with albinism, whose skin lacks melanin – the natural pigment that protects against harmful UV rays and significantly reduces the risk of skin cancer. Her work not only provides a practical solution but also raises vital awareness about the challenges faced by the albino community and the urgent need for global health policy changes.