Worried by the spike in the number of people dying from diabetes, healthcare professionals have called on the federal government to subsidise the cost of management, both medications, and monitoring devices, to alleviate the sufferings of Nigerians living with the condition.
The healthcare professionals made the call while speaking with Newsmen at the sidelines of the 5th Annual Ogun Youth Diabetes Camp, held at Olusegun Obasanjo Presidential Library, Abeokuta.
Speaking, Dr Olubiyi Adesina, the Coordinator, Talabi Diabetes Centre submitted that the cost of antidiabetic drugs and monitoring devices has risen beyond the reach of many Nigerians living with the disease and they can no longer achieve diabetes control as recommended by the International Diabetes Federation.
Dr Adesina said the exorbitant drug prices such as cost of insulin and others are overwhelming patients and straining hospitals, with an increasing number of Nigerians requiring emergency care due to untreated diabetes complications.
According to him, the cost of treating diabetes has become impossible for most Nigerians, leading to a hospitalisation crisis.
“The poorest people now need over 600 per cent of their annual income for basic treatment. We are seeing fewer diabetic patients in clinics and more in emergency rooms,”.
He said Countries like Egypt, Cameroun and even South Africa assist people with Diabetes with free insulin and glucose monitors. Though this administration is starting something, they need to expedite action on it.
He suggested medical insurance to ameliorate the cost of treating diabetes
Speaking on the 5th annual Ogun Youth Diabetes Camp, Dr Adesina said the camping is meant for youths with type 1 diabetes, describing it as a life-long disease.
“It occurs when the body’s immune system destroys the insulin producing cells in the pancreas within the abdomen. Insulin normally helps to control blood sugar levels. Once insulin is no longer produced, the blood sugar levels go up astronomically leading to symptoms such as excessive urination, excessive thirst, excessive hunger, excessive water intake, loss of weight and in a lot of cases coma. Other symptoms include blurring of vision, slow healing of wounds and recurrent infections.
He noted that the persistent difficulties of living with Type 1 diabetes in Nigeria which includes having multiple daily injections of insulin “whose price has now gone through the roof with prices of insulin pen averaging eighteen-thousand Naira, painfully discrimination and isolation people living with diabetes face in schools both from teachers and other pupils.
He frowned at the discrimination against those living with diabetes, calling on students, their peers and teachers to embrace them and treat the carriers with love, and passion.
“The main aim of this camping is to assist these people psychologically, to tell them that they can still live their normal lives, and encourage them on what they need to do to live a healthier life, and to assure them that they are not alone and support them with the people.
Lion Osarenkhoe E. Chima, Founder/CEO Diabetes & Limb
salvage foundation, (DLSF), called on the People living with Diabetes to live a healthier lifestyle while urging the government to make diabetes medication affordable for all Nigerians.
She noted that the rising cost of medication has severely impacted patients’ health, causing many to skip doses.
“This affects their adherence to treatment, leading to financial strain, missed preventive care, and an increased burden on the healthcare system,” he said.
She stressed the importance of creating awareness for families on healthier eating habits.
“My message to People living with Diabetes is that they should not let diabetes divine them. Live above it, it’s not a death sentence, together, we can make a life more meaningful for each other.
She called on the government to take center stage to support people living with diabetes, most especially, for these children for them to live their normal lives.
Also in her address the wife of the former President Olusegun Obasanjo, Chief Mrs Bola Obasanjo said there is hope for people living with diabetes as they also can achieve their aims in life
“We must imbibe the acts of proper nutrition from an early age. Prevention starts at home,” she opined.
Chief Mrs Obasanjo said if the former President Olusegun Obasanjo can manage his health status as a diabetes patient for more than forty years, nothing stops anybody from living his or her normal.
She advocated for a better lifestyle for Nigerians saying that Nigeria behavioural and lifestyle factors contribute greatly to the good lifestyle expected of the people.
