The Diabetes Association of Nigeria (DAN) has issued a dire warning regarding the escalating challenges faced by the six million Nigerians living with diabetes, as healthcare costs soar beyond the reach of many.
Marking World Diabetes Day on November 14, DAN’s National President, Dr. Ejiofor Ugwu, revealed that up to 40,000 Nigerians die annually from diabetes, with many more at risk due to limited access to affordable care and medications.
“About 6-8 million Nigerians, or 5.7 per cent of the population, have diabetes, yet this number only reflects diagnosed cases.
“Two-thirds of diabetes cases remain undiagnosed due to inadequate screening.”Dr. Ugwu stated.
He brought to fore the extreme rise in medication costs, noting that insulin prices have quadrupled over the past year, now selling at about N18,000 per vial, up from N4,000.
“This 400% increase makes care inaccessible for many, leading to more diabetes-related complications and premature deaths,” he warned.
DAN has proposed several urgent actions, urging the federal government to subsidize diabetes medications and grant tax waivers on imported treatments to reduce costs.
Dr. Ugwu also recommended reinstating the sugar-sweetened beverage tax, which was halted in June, with funds redirected toward diabetes prevention and other non-communicable diseases.
“There is a critical need for a national survey on non-communicable diseases to provide data for effective healthcare policymaking,” he added.