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The Diabetes Affiliation of Nigeria (DAN) has expressed considerations over a looming healthcare disaster, warning that an estimated six million Nigerians with diabetes are actually dealing with life-threatening challenges because of the rising prices of diabetes care.
In a press release marking World Diabetes Day, November 14, the affiliation’s Nationwide President, Dr Ejiofor Ugwu, highlighted each the pressing want for intervention and the steep toll the illness is taking over the inhabitants.
“Rising healthcare prices have positioned diabetes administration out of attain for a lot of Nigerians,” Dr Ugwu acknowledged.
“About 6-8 million Nigerians, roughly 5.7% of the inhabitants, reside with diabetes, and as many as two-thirds of circumstances go undiagnosed because of insufficient screening.”
In line with DAN, the monetary obstacles have contributed to Nigeria’s alarming mortality price for the illness, with between 30,000 and 40,000 deaths yearly.
Dr Ugwu defined that with out intervention, this quantity might proceed to rise as extra Nigerians are unable to afford crucial drugs, routine monitoring, and life-style changes.
He mentioned, “Diabetes claims an estimated 30,000 to 40,000 lives in Nigeria every year. Managing diabetes within the nation faces quite a few obstacles, together with widespread poverty, restricted public consciousness, a scarcity of healthcare professionals—notably diabetes specialists—unhealthy cultural and spiritual beliefs, and insufficient care amenities.“Up to now 12 months, the price of diabetes drugs and provides has surged dramatically, inserting them out of attain for a lot of sufferers. For instance, the worth of an insulin vial has skyrocketed from about N4,000 to roughly N18,000—a greater than 400 % enhance.”
In line with Ugwu, “This drastic rise poses a significant barrier to efficient diabetes administration in Nigeria, as most sufferers can now not afford therapy, resulting in elevated problems and untimely deaths.”He famous that the Federal Authorities should urgently subsidize diabetes drugs and provides to make them inexpensive for Nigeria’s rising diabetic inhabitants.“DAN additionally advocates for a full tax waiver on the importation of diabetes drugs and consumables. Moreover, the sugar-sweetened drinks tax, halted in June 2024, ought to be reinstated, with laws to allocate these funds towards diabetes and different non-communicable illness prevention.
“There may be an pressing want for a complete nationwide survey on non-communicable ailments. This information is essential for knowledgeable healthcare policymaking,” Dr Ugwu added.
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