Residents of Abuja with diabetes are struggling to afford treatment due to a significant price surge, with monthly medication costs rising from N70,000 to N180,000, causing distress among those affected.
According to their accounts, the price has surged from N70,000 to N180,000 per month, leading to financial concerns and challenges.
These patients shared their concerns during an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria on Friday. Diabetes is a chronic condition affecting the body’s processing of blood sugar (glucose).
The most prevalent type, Type 2 diabetes, occurs when the body either doesn’t produce enough insulin or develops insulin resistance.
Insulin is a hormone the body produces to regulate blood sugar levels and metabolism, converting consumed food into energy.
Mr. Bernard Enyia, Vice-President of the Diabetes Association in Nigeria, detailed his personal experience with this situation.
Mr Bernard Enyia, the Vice-President, Diabetes Association in Nigeria, who narrated his situation, noted, “A year ago, I managed my diabetes with a monthly budget of N70,000 for insulin and other medical expenses.
“Today, I spend over ₦180,000 monthly, a figure that more than doubled.
Enyia mentioned that the increase in the cost of medications was unsustainable for many Nigerians.
He said, “This is because, insulin, which is an essential life-saving medicine for diabetes, has become a luxury and many cannot afford it.
“As a result, many people living with diabetes have resorted to rationing their medicines, some have embraced unorthodox means, while others have stopped taking any medications.”
He highlighted that diabetes complications are debilitating, “and if poorly managed, the disease can damage blood vessels and lead to heart attack, stroke, kidney failure, blindness, among others.
“The World Health Organisation has also linked the consumption of Sugar-Sweetened Beverages (SSBs) to increased risk of Type 2 diabetes, obesity and cardiovascular diseases.”
Enyia also narrated how he lost his job as a health worker in 2017 when his employer became dissatisfied with his multiple hospital visits and absenteeism.
He said, “my marriage also suffered, while I experienced blood sugar spike during long-distance travel, degenerating into life-threatening hyperglycemic episodes.”
Health specialist Ms Omei Bongos appealed for national and international support for diabetes patients.
Teacher Ibrahim Babayaro urged the government to subsidize essential medications and improve healthcare infrastructure.
Meanwhile, pharmacist Mrs Juliet Bernard lamented that insulin costs have doubled in Nigeria, exacerbating the financial burden on citizens.
Bernard said “Insulin is not manufactured in the country and the dollar exchange rate has affected the cost greatly.
“Most people suffering from diabetes depend on insulin to manage their blood sugar levels, injecting themselves twice daily, this is why the disease is expensive to manage,” she highlighted.
