Asuquo Cletus
Public health advocates and journalist have called on government at all levels to develop stronger policies to curb the rising cases of diabetes in Nigeria.
They warned that the country faces a growing health crisis fueled by weak intervention, high treatment costs and widespread stigma.
The call was made during the 2025 World Diabetes Day commemoration held on Friday in Calabar with the theme “Diabetes and Well-Being: Focus on the Workplace.”
Speaking at the event, Bernard Enyia, National Coordinator of the Network of Persons Living With Diabetes in Nigeria, said diabetes remains one of the most neglected non-communicable diseases in the country despite its increasing prevalence. According to him, over 11.2 million Nigerians are currently living with diabetes, a figure he described as conservative due to poor data collection.
Enyia noted that many diabetic patients face enormous challenges ranging from high cost of insulin and medications, frequent hospitalization, out-of-pocket spending, and poor support systems in workplaces. He decried the absence of consistent government funding for diabetes care and accused pharmaceutical companies of placing profit above patient welfare.
“The health insurance scheme does not cover most diabetes medications. Patients are left to carry the burden alone. This is why we need clear policies, proper budgetary allocation and enforcement of regulations,” he said.
Also speaking, Roseline Ogar, Director of Nursing Services in the Cross River State Ministry of Health, who represented the Commissioner for Health, Cross River State Dr Henry Ayuk, described diabetes as a growing public health challenge that requires early screening, lifestyle adjustments and sustained government support.
Ogar, who shared personal experiences that shaped her passion for diabetes care, appealed for compassion for diabetic patients and urged employers to eliminate workplace stigma.
She said the ministry will convey the concerns raised at the event to the state government and ensure that diabetes intervention programmes receive proper attention in the health budget.
In her remark, Chairman of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Cross River State Council, Archibong Bassey, called for regular screening and public awareness to prevent avoidable deaths. He warned against stigmatizing diabetic patients, describing it as a major barrier to effective care.
“Diabetes is not a curse; it is not infectious. Anyone can develop it. What matters is early screening, proper management, and support from family, workplaces and government,” she stated.
She highlighted the dangers of prolonged industrial actions in the health sector, noting that diabetic patients and other persons with underlying conditions often suffer severe complications during strikes.
She urged government to strengthen policies on non-communicable diseases, channel revenue from Sugar-Sweetened Beverage (SSB) taxes into diabetes prevention and care, and ensure annual observance of World Diabetes Day in line with global practice.
The event, organized by the Network of Persons Living With Diabetes in collaboration with Pad Bank Mobile Outreach Partners, ended with renewed commitment from stakeholders to intensify advocacy, fight stigma and push for policy reforms that will mitigate the growing burden of diabetes across Nigeria.
