World Diabetes Day: NGO laments rising cost of medications

As Nigeria joins the rest of the world to mark the 2021 World Diabetes Day on November 14, a non-governmental organisation, Diabetes Control Media Advocacy Initiative (DICOMA) has expressed concern over the plight of Nigerians living with diabetes.

According to the NGO, a significant number of patients can no longer control their condition because of the high cost of drugs and monitoring devices.

In a press release signed by the trustee Chairperson of the NGO, Dr. Afoke Isiavwe, and the Director of Communication Mrs. Yinka Shokunbi, DICOMA said people living with diabetes are among the worst hit by the current inflation in the country, noting that many are unable to take their medications or follow necessary guidelines and routines to keep the disease in check. 

It added that the COVID-19 pandemic and the attendant disruption it created, have also contributed negatively to this, as many breadwinners lost their jobs due to the economic downturn.

“The forthcoming WDD no doubt offers a great opportunity to alert the government and public that the scourge of diabetes is attaining a dangerous dimension in the country as many people can no longer afford their medications and routines to effectively control their condition. 

“Children living with diabetes most of whom must be on regular insulin injections are also badly affected by the situation as many parents either reduce doses or stop administering injections as the cost of insulin, a vital component of diabetes management has risen by over 40 per cent in the last six months. A vial of insulin now costs between N6,000 and N12,000 in different parts of the country,” the release read in part.

 Citing figures from the International Diabetes Federation, DICOMA says while more than 463 million adults (one in 11) are currently living with diabetes globally, the disease affects no fewer than five million Nigerians and like elsewhere in the world, the number of cases is increasing very fast. 

The NGO also noted that one in every two people with diabetes in the country is undiagnosed, which means that the current estimated number of cases could be double or even more.

“Nigeria must avoid this looming disaster and act fast to assist people currently living with the disease. Remember, a poorly controlled diabetes population epidemic equals a diabetes complications epidemic.

“IDF describes diabetes mellitus as one of the largest global health emergencies of the 21st century, largely because of its severe and deadly consequences. 

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“This is a disease that affects virtually all organs of the body, resulting in loss of vision, dental problems, kidney failure, cardiovascular disease, lower limb amputation, sexual dysfunction, among others, when not properly controlled. Sadly, this is the situation many Nigerians living with diabetes are facing today.

“World Diabetes Day is marked worldwide to focus attention on diabetes because of its dire consequences on human health. The theme for this year till 2023 is: ‘Access to Diabetes Care – If Not Now, When?’ This is to raise awareness on the impact of diabetes on the populace and the need for its effective management and control.

“The country must make conscious efforts to address the plight of people living with diabetes. It is time to review our policies and as a matter of urgency, introduce measures aimed at alleviating the plight of Nigerians suffering from diabetes,” it said.

The NGO noted that while the rapid increase of diabetes cases is a global phenomenon, especially in the developing countries, the difference, however, is that most countries are now working relentlessly to ensure it does not become a major epidemic but Nigeria seems to be sitting on the fence with poor implementation of measures or policies to curtail the rapid spread.

“While countries like Cameroun now provide insulin free of charge to children and other countries in Africa have adopted policies to assist citizens to achieve control of the condition, Nigeria seems to have left people living with diabetes to their fate.

 “We, therefore, call on the Federal and State governments to seize the golden opportunity offered by WDD events to introduce measures towards addressing the plight of Nigerians living with diabetes.  

“To this end, we call on the government to, as a matter of urgency introduce policy and measures to drastically reduce the cost of anti-diabetes drugs and devices through zero import tariff and encouragement of their local production; provide free or subsidised insulin for children and the elderly; implement some of the already existing policies and guidelines for the management of diabetes in Nigeria.

“Increase awareness for diabetes education and enlightenment. To this end, DICOMA calls on state governments, to commence an immediate campaign for diabetes prevention and control, beginning from the 2021 WDD. 

“Healthcare providers and other stakeholders should also intensify their efforts in screening for diabetes and providing adequate information to assist people living with diabetes on the basic management of the disease, and also assist the general public in recognising the signs and symptoms of the condition and the available preventing options,” the NGO said.