At least six million Nigerians living with diabetes are facing an existential threat as the cost of healthcare continues to rise dramatically, exacerbated by the economic turmoil following the removal of fuel subsidies and the ongoing foreign exchange crisis.
The Diabetes Association of Nigeria (DAN) has raised an alarm, revealing that an estimated 30,000 to 40,000 Nigerians die annually from diabetes, largely due to the inability to afford basic healthcare services. In a statement marking World Diabetes Day on November 14, Dr. Ejiofor Ugwu, the National President of DAN, noted that between 6 to 8 million Nigerians are currently living with diabetes. He emphasized that this figure likely represents only the “tip of the iceberg,” as two-thirds of diabetes cases in Nigeria remain undiagnosed due to a lack of routine screenings.
“Managing diabetes in Nigeria is incredibly challenging,” said Dr. Ugwu, pointing to issues such as high poverty levels, a shortage of trained healthcare workers, especially diabetes specialists, and inadequate care facilities. He also cited cultural and religious beliefs that often hinder proper management of the disease.
As the economic crisis deepens, patients are struggling to access essential medications and maintain the recommended diet. Mrs. Maria, a diabetic patient in Abuja, shared her frustration, stating that she can no longer afford insulin therapy, which has risen in price by nearly 400 percent in recent months due to the foreign exchange crisis. “The insulin vial, which we used to buy for N4,000, is now N18,000,” she lamented, adding, “Unless the government subsidizes our treatment, many of us may die soon.”
Her sentiments were echoed by Mr. Andrew Onah, who lost his left leg to amputation in 2022 after a foot ulcer worsened when he could no longer afford medical care. “In 2020, I managed my condition well, but by 2022, it became unbearable,” Onah said. “I wouldn’t wish diabetes on even my enemy.”
Experts are also raising concerns about the government’s lack of action on the issue. Dr. Festus Ihongbe Odia, Chairman of the Association of Nigerian Private Medical Practitioners (ANPMP) in the Federal Capital Territory, urged diabetic patients to consider relocating abroad to access affordable treatment. “The insulin that used to cost N750 is now N24,000. How can anyone survive here?” he asked, pointing to the grim reality faced by many Nigerians suffering from diabetes and other chronic conditions.
In response to the crisis, Dr. Ugwu has called on the Nigerian government to urgently subsidize diabetes medications and provide a complete tax waiver on the importation of essential drugs. He also recommended conducting a national survey on noncommunicable diseases to gather accurate data and inform policy decisions.
As diabetes continues to claim lives in Nigeria, the need for immediate government intervention has never been more critical. Without action, millions of Nigerians may face a future where they cannot afford the basic care they need to survive.
