A looming health crisis threatens millions of Nigerians as the rising cost of healthcare exacerbates the challenges faced by the 6-8 million people living with diabetes.
Economic hardships, driven by the removal of fuel subsidies and a foreign exchange crisis, have further compounded the situation, putting affordable diabetes care out of reach for many.
On World Diabetes Day, marked annually on November 14, the Diabetes Association of Nigeria (DAN) raised an alarm about the escalating toll of the disease.
Dr. Ejiofor Ugwu, the National President of DAN, revealed that between 30,000 and 40,000 Nigerians die yearly from diabetes-related complications due to limited access to healthcare services.
"Tip of the Iceberg": Undiagnosed Cases Abound
Dr. Ugwu highlighted a disturbing reality: while millions are already diagnosed, two-thirds of cases remain undiagnosed due to insufficient routine screening. Poverty, limited awareness, and inadequate healthcare facilities are worsening the crisis.
“Diabetes management in Nigeria is a significant challenge,” Ugwu stated, citing the high cost of insulin and a lack of specialized care as primary hurdles.
Patients Speak: "Death Feels Inevitable"
For many diabetic patients, survival feels like a losing battle. Mrs. Maria, a civil servant in Abuja, shared her struggles:
“Insulin therapy, which used to cost N4,000, now costs N18,000. I can’t afford the medication or the recommended diet anymore. Without government intervention, many of us will die.”
She painted a bleak picture of life under current economic conditions, where even basic staples are unaffordable, forcing people to consume whatever they can find, often at the expense of their health.
Another patient, Mr. Andrew Onah, recounted how financial hardship led to the loss of his leg after a minor injury developed into a severe ulcer.
“The worst thing about diabetes is how it changes your life completely. Without adequate funds, you’re doomed,” he lamented.
Experts Urge Urgent Action
Dr. Festus Ihongbe Odia, Chairman of the Association of Nigerian Private Medical Practitioners (ANPMP) in Abuja, issued a stark warning:
“Diabetic patients in Nigeria are dying because they cannot afford basic care. Those who can should leave the country for places with subsidized treatment.”
Dr. Odia emphasized the unsustainable nature of diabetes treatment in Nigeria, where costs have skyrocketed by over 400% in recent months.
A Call for Policy Overhaul
The Diabetes Association of Nigeria has called on the government to introduce subsidies for diabetes medications and consumables and waive taxes on imported treatments.
Dr. Ugwu also advocated for a comprehensive national survey on noncommunicable diseases to improve data for policymaking.
For now, millions of Nigerians living with diabetes remain in a precarious position, navigating an increasingly unaffordable healthcare system with little hope of relief.
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This dire situation calls for swift government action to prevent further loss of life and alleviate the burden on millions of families.