By Asuquo Cletus
The Network of Persons Living With Diabetes in Nigeria (NPLWDN) has appealed to the Cross River State Government to make a specific budgetary allocation for the management and treatment of diabetes in the state.
The group said the call has become necessary following the increasing number of diabetes-related deaths and the absence of structured government intervention programmes to support affected persons across health facilities in the state.
The National Coordinator of the group, Bernard Enyia, made the appeal yesterday during an advocacy visit to the State Chairman of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Archibong Bassey, at the Ernest Etim Bassey Press Centre, Calabar.
Enyia lamented what he described as systemic neglect and discrimination against people living with diabetes in Nigeria, noting that the ailment has continued to claim lives due to lack of government attention and inadequate healthcare support.
He expressed concern that the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS) does not cover diabetes treatment, saying the condition is not listed among ailments subsidised by the federal government.
“Budgetary allocation to diabetes is zero in the Cross River State budget, and the Ministry of Health does not even have a desk officer for diabetes.
“Government must begin to see diabetes as a public health emergency rather than a personal problem.”-Enyia said .
The coordinator also faulted the federal government’s decision to suspend the Sugar-Sweetened Beverage Tax, introduced in 2022 under former President Muhammadu Buhari, describing the move as “a setback in the fight against non-communicable diseases.”
According to him, proceeds from the tax were expected to support diabetes awareness and intervention programmes, but the administration of President Bola Tinubu discontinued it without accounting for earlier deductions.
“The excuse that the tax was suspended to stabilise the economy is unacceptable when diabetic patients are dying daily without help,” he added.
Enyia, who was accompanied by the group’s vice chairman, Linus Bisong, and member Cynthia Bisong, also decried the high level of stigmatisation faced by diabetes patients, saying many are unfairly blamed for their condition.
Responding, NUJ State Chairman, Archibong Bassey, commended the group for its advocacy and assured that the media would continue to give visibility to their concerns.
“The media remains the voice of the voiceless. We will ensure your message reaches the authorities. No one should have to die because they cannot afford insulin,” Bassey said.
She urged government agencies, families, and communities to show greater empathy and support for persons living with diabetes, adding that ignorance and misinformation often worsen their plight.
