The Diabetes Association of Nigeria (DAN) has expressed concerns over a looming healthcare crisis, warning that an estimated six million Nigerians with diabetes are now facing life-threatening challenges due to the rising costs of diabetes care.
In a statement marking World Diabetes Day, November 14, the association’s National President, Dr Ejiofor Ugwu, highlighted both the urgent need for intervention and the steep toll the disease is taking on the population.
“Rising healthcare costs have placed diabetes management out of reach for many Nigerians,” Dr Ugwu stated.
“About 6-8 million Nigerians, approximately 5.7% of the population, are living with diabetes, and as many as two-thirds of cases go undiagnosed due to inadequate screening.”
According to DAN, the financial barriers have contributed to Nigeria’s alarming mortality rate for the disease, with between 30,000 and 40,000 deaths annually.
Dr Ugwu explained that without intervention, this number could continue to rise as more Nigerians are unable to afford necessary medications, routine monitoring, and lifestyle adjustments.
He said, “Diabetes claims an estimated 30,000 to 40,000 lives in Nigeria each year. Managing diabetes in the country faces numerous obstacles, including widespread poverty, limited public awareness, a shortage of healthcare professionals—particularly diabetes specialists—unhealthy cultural and religious beliefs, and inadequate care facilities.
“In the past year, the cost of diabetes medications and supplies has surged dramatically, placing them out of reach for many patients. For example, the price of an insulin vial has skyrocketed from about N4,000 to roughly N18,000—a more than 400 percent increase.”
According to Ugwu, “This drastic rise poses a major barrier to effective diabetes management in Nigeria, as most patients can no longer afford treatment, leading to increased complications and premature deaths.”
He noted that the Federal Government must urgently subsidize diabetes medications and supplies to make them affordable for Nigeria’s growing diabetic population.
“DAN also advocates for a full tax waiver on the importation of diabetes medications and consumables. Additionally, the sugar-sweetened beverages tax, halted in June 2024, should be reinstated, with legislation to allocate these funds toward diabetes and other non-communicable disease prevention.
“There is an urgent need for a comprehensive national survey on non-communicable diseases. This data is critical for informed healthcare policymaking,” Dr Ugwu added.