Victor Ezeja
Experts in health and business sectors have called on the Nigerian government to prioritise intervention in non-communicable diseases like diabetes.
They said the government’s intervention is imperative given the increasing rate of its prevalence in the country in recent years.
Join our WhatsApp ChannelThe experts made the call during the fourth edition of Prime Business Africa’s Health and Business Series via X Space hosted by Dr Marcel Mbamalu on the topic: ‘Sugar Tax Removal: Your Health or Your Wealth?’
Speaking at the series, Second Vice President, National Diabetes Association, Comrade Bernard Enyia, said the cost of managing diabetes in the country is very high and it is a long term ailment that needs regular attention.
According to him, the cost of insulin, one of the drugs used in managing the condition, has skyrocketed from ₦3,000 two years ago to about ₦11,000 and every diabetic patient is expected to take it regularly alongside other medications and necessary health checks. He estimated that for a patient to take proper treatment, one has to spend over ₦100,000 monthly.
Enyia, who is also the Co-chair, National Action on Sugar Reduction, said under the auspices of National Diabetic Association of Nigeria, they have repeatedly reached out to government for some years now but no attention has been given to their plight.
He said while there is intervention in other areas like malaria, and tuberculosis, there is no single healthcare scheme targeted at assisting diabetic people with treatment. “This is injustice to us,” Enyia, who is living with diabetes stated.
READ ALSO: Sugar Tax: Why Govt Should Not Impose More Levies On Beverage Companies – Yusuf
On his part, the Chief Executive Officer, Centre for the Promotion of Private Enterprise (CPPE), Dr Muda Yusuf, emphasised the need to prioritise the healthcare needs of people living with diabetes and other non-communicable diseases.
He called on the government to create a compulsory health insurance scheme for all citizens as a sustainable way of resolving challenges around healthcare financing in the country, especially long-term ailments like diabetes.
READ ALSO High Food, Drug Costs, Push Nigerians Into Healthcare Dilemma
“Health insurance is important because it provides the pool of resources through which those who are healthy can subsidise for those who are not. This is a more sustainable approach towards healthy living,” Dr Yusuf stated.
As a way of achieving a win-win, situation, the economic expert urged sugar reduction advocates to approach sugar and beverage manufacturers to have partnerships as part of Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) to see what they can do in assisting with some of their healthcare needs in line with sustainability goals.
Victor Ezeja is a passionate journalist with seven years of experience writing on economy, politics and energy. He holds a Master's degree in Mass Communication.
