The rising cost of healthcare in Nigeria is pushing millions of diabetes patients to the brink of disaster.
According to the Diabetes Association of Nigeria (DAN), about 6-8 million Nigerians are living with diabetes, with 30,000 to 40,000 dying annually due to lack of access to affordable healthcare services.
Dr. Ejiofor Ugwu, National President of DAN, warns that this figure represents only the “tip of the iceberg” as two-thirds of diabetes cases in Nigeria remain undiagnosed due to inadequate routine screening. Managing diabetes in Nigeria is fraught with challenges, including poverty, low awareness, shortage of specialists, and inadequate care facilities.
Mrs. Maria, a civil servant living with diabetes, lamented that her condition has worsened since May 2024 due to the skyrocketing cost of insulin therapy and healthy food. “The insulin vial, which we used to buy at N4,000, is now N18,000,” she said. “Unless the government subsidizes treatment, many of us may die soon.”
Mr. Andrew Onah, another diabetic patient, lost his left leg due to complications from untreated diabetes. “Diabetes is the worst thing that can happen to anyone,” he said. “People with money can manage it, but what about ordinary people? We need help from the government.”
Dr. Festus Ihongbe Odia, Chairman of the Association of Nigerian Private Medical Practitioners (ANPMP), urged diabetic patients to consider relocating from Nigeria. “Diabetic patients are dying; they can’t afford insulin. The government is indifferent to their plight,” he said.
Dr. Ugwu appealed to the Federal Government to subsidize diabetes medications and consumables, and consider a tax waiver on imported diabetes medications. “A national survey on noncommunicable diseases is urgently needed to guide healthcare policymaking,” he added.
As the situation continues to deteriorate, diabetic patients in Nigeria are left with little hope.
