Subsidise diabetes drugs, expert urges FG

A Consultant Endocrinologist, Dr. Ayotunde Ale, has raised the alarm over the increasing number of people living with diabetes in the state, revealing that a recent report showed that 7.2% of the population is diabetic.

She disclosed this at a programme organised by the center to commemorate this year’s World Diabetes Day, lamenting the rising cost of diabetes drugs and noting that most patients now find it difficult to manage and access their medication.

“It is now becoming more challenging economically for diabetes patients to access care because the prices of their drugs have gone astronomically high,” Dr. Ale, who is also the acting Director of Talabi Diabetes Centre in Isara Remo, Ogun State, said.

She added that the solution to the hardships and compounded dilemma faced by diabetic patients is for the government to intervene by subsidizing their medications.

“We can see this effect on the health of our patients because most of them can no longer afford these drugs. This is part of the reason why we are enlightening them on how to reduce complications by controlling their blood sugar, being conscious of their diet, doing regular exercise, and taking their medication regularly,” she said.

“The government should come to our aid. Most of these patients can no longer afford their drugs, they cannot afford the glucometer they are supposed to use daily to monitor their blood sugar levels.

Some of these patients are elderly, some have children who are unemployed. This is a crucial area where the government must intervene to save the people. Cameroon and Ghana are doing something; Nigeria must do something too to help their citizens.”

She revealed that 5.4% of Nigeria’s over 200 million population is diabetic.

Dr. Ale further disclosed that in Ogun State, a recent survey showed that 7.2% of the state’s population is diabetic, and “through our center’s regular screening in the state, we have also observed a surge in the number of people with diabetes.”

Also speaking at the event, Dr. Olubiyi Adesina, the Coordinator of the center, said that the essence of the celebration was to raise awareness about diabetes, call for action to stem it, and educate patients on what they can do to manage the condition.