At least six million Nigerians living with diabetes are currently facing an existential threat due to the skyrocketing cost of healthcare in the country.
DAILY POST reports that the economic hardship caused by the removal of fuel subsidies and the foreign exchange crisis is also affecting the health sector, as the cost of healthcare services continues to surge.
On Tuesday, the Diabetes Association of Nigeria (DAN) raised the alarm that about 30,000 to 40,000 Nigerians die annually from the condition, largely due to the inability to afford basic healthcare services needed to manage it.
The National President of the association, Dr Ejiofor Ugwu, in a statement to mark the United Nations’ World Diabetes Day on November 14, said, “about 6-8 million Nigerians have diabetes.”
The DAN president expressed concern that this figure represents only the “tip of the iceberg” as two-thirds of diabetes cases in Nigeria are still undiagnosed due to a lack of routine screening.
According to him, managing diabetes in Nigeria is fraught with challenges, including a high level of poverty, low awareness campaigns, a shortage of manpower—especially diabetes specialists—unhealthy cultural and religious beliefs, and inadequate diabetes care facilities.
Some diabetic patients, who spoke with DAILY POST on Wednesday, said it is nearly impossible to continue managing the condition due to the current economic situation.
‘I’m just waiting for death; I can’t afford insulin or recommended food anymore’ – Diabetic patient
A patient, Mrs. Maria (surname withheld), told our correspondent in Abuja that her condition has worsened since May 2024, as she can no longer afford insulin therapy or maintain a healthy diet as recommended by her doctor.
According to her, the prices of everything—including insulin therapy, fruits, and vegetables needed to manage the condition—have skyrocketed.
She said insulin therapy costs have risen by almost 400 percent in the last few months due to the foreign exchange crisis, noting that “the insulin vial, which we used to buy at the rate of N4,000, is now N18,000.”
She added, “Unless the government comes to our aid and subsidizes the treatment for us, many of us may die soon because there is no way we can survive.
“I am a civil servant. I have a monthly salary, yet I can’t afford healthcare. What about those who are not working? How about patients in rural areas? What of those who haven’t even been properly diagnosed, let alone started treatment?
“They say we should avoid certain foods, especially those high in carbohydrates. But in this economy, how do you manage that? How much is a bag of wheat? Beans are out of reach. The situation is terrible.
“These days, people only eat what they see, not what they need. Someone managing diabetes is not supposed to consume garri, not even accidentally, but if the only food you have is garri, what do you do?
“For those without support like us, the only option is to pray and have faith in God.
“I cannot do more than my power. When it is time to go, God will receive me, and I’m patiently waiting for that time.”
‘I lost my leg after I stopped medication due to hardship’ – Another patient
Another diabetic patient, Mr Andrew Onah, said his left leg was amputated in 2022 due to a foot ulcer he developed after he could no longer afford healthcare services.
Narrating his ordeal, Onah said, “In 2020, when I was first diagnosed with diabetes, I managed it well, and you wouldn’t know I had such a condition unless I told you.
“But things became very difficult for me around September 2022, and I just couldn’t continue. In December 2022, I had a domestic accident and injured my left leg. I thought it was minor and didn’t take it seriously, but it worsened to the point that my leg had to be amputated.
“The worst thing that could happen to anyone is diabetes. You are expected to give up everything you used to enjoy—both food and drinks.
“Aside from that, many other critical health conditions, like renal failure, have been linked to diabetes. And once you have any injury, it may turn into an ulcer. I wouldn’t wish diabetes on even my enemy.
“People with money can manage it well. I know of some politicians who have been managing it for decades and still look healthy. But how about ordinary people? We need help from the government at all levels.”
‘Gather your burial money, run from Nigeria’ – ANPMP Chairman, Dr Odia
Speaking exclusively with DAILY POST, Chairman of the Association of Nigerian Private Medical Practitioners (ANPMP) in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Dr Festus Ihongbe Odia, urged diabetic patients to consider relocating from Nigeria.
According to him, the Nigerian government is indifferent to the plight of its citizens, especially in healthcare.
He said, “Diabetic patients are dying, so we advise them to leave the country because as long as they remain here, they will die. They can’t afford insulin. The insulin that used to be N750 is now N24,000.
“We believe that if they leave Nigeria, they might survive in other countries where treatment is subsidized. How do you expect a diabetic or hypertensive patient to survive here?
“We are talking about lifelong treatment. It’s not something you borrow money for today and recover from tomorrow.
“The money they will use for their burial, if they use it to leave for another country, it would be better.”
Meanwhile, Dr Ugwu, President of the Diabetes Association of Nigeria, has urged the Federal Government to urgently “subsidize diabetes medications and consumables to make them more affordable for the teeming population of people living with diabetes in Nigeria.”
He also urged the government to consider a complete tax waiver on the importation of diabetes medications.
“There is a need for a well-conducted national survey on noncommunicable diseases as soon as possible. This will provide accurate data to guide healthcare policymaking,” he added.
