A group, The Network of Persons Living with Diabetes in Nigeria, on Saturday, November 14, said that an average person with diabetes spends between N200,000 and N500,000 monthly on treatment, amounting to N3 million to N6 million annually.
This was disclosed by Its National Coordinator, Mr Bernard Enyia, in a statement in Calabar, Cross River State, to commemorate the 2026 World Diabetes Day (WDD) in Nigeria.
World Diabetes Day is commemorated annually on November 14 to raise global awareness about diabetes, its prevention, diagnosis, treatment and impact on individuals and society.
“Enyia said no fewer than 15 million Nigerians were living with diabetes, with about 50 per cent of them undiagnosed.”
He added that they face enormous financial and emotional challenges due to the high cost of insulin, medications and other healthcare services.
The coordinator explained that the expenses covered prescribed medications, hospital bills, consultations, laboratory tests, special diets and transportation, alongside other family responsibilities.
According to him, the rising cost of treatment has forced some patients to ration or skip medication doses, increasing their risks of severe complications.
“This has increased complications such as blindness, kidney failure, limb amputation, heart disease and stroke which are all associated with poor diabetes management,” he said.
Enyia said the number of children, adolescents and adults diagnosed with diabetes was increasing, while the financial burden of managing the lifelong condition continued to worsen.
He described the 2026 theme, “Early Action on Diabetes,” as a call for early risk assessment, detection and prevention of complications.
He urged the government to expand health insurance coverage to include all diabetes medications and subsidise insulin and other essential drugs.
He also called for the appointment of diabetes intervention desk officers in state ministries of health and regular training of diabetes educators, particularly at primary healthcare facilities.
Enyia further urged the government to strengthen the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control and other regulatory agencies, implement sugary drinks taxation and improve healthcare workers’ welfare to ensure affordable and uninterrupted diabetes care.
