Diabetes patients in Abuja voiced concerns over skyrocketing medication costs, rising from N70,000 to N180,000 per month.
The patients lamented their ordeals during an interview with journalists on Friday.
Speaking to newsmen, Bernard Enyia, the vice-president, Diabetes Association in Nigeria, narrated his situation, “a year ago, I managed my diabetes with a monthly budget of N70,000 for insulin and other medical expenses.
“Today, I spend over ₦180,000 each month, a figure that more than doubled.”
Mr Enyia said that the increase in the cost of medications was unsustainable for many Nigerians.
He added, “this is because insulin, which is an essential life-saving medicine for diabetes, has become a luxury, and many cannot afford it.
“As a result, many people living with diabetes have resorted to rationing their medicines, some have embraced unorthodox means, while others have stopped taking any medications.”
READ MORE: VIDEO: Peaceful Protesters Reportedly Intercept Looted Goods by APC Sponsored Thugs
He said that diabetes complications are debilitating, “and if poorly managed, the disease can damage blood vessels and lead to heart attack, stroke, kidney failure, blindness, among others.
Ibrahim Babayaro, a teacher in Abuja, urged the government to subsidise essential medications and improve healthcare infrastructure to alleviate the financial burden on citizens.
On her part, Juliet Bernard, a director at a pharmacy in Abuja, complained that the cost of insulin has doubled in the country.
Ms Bernard said, “insulin is not manufactured in the country and the dollar exchange rate has affected the cost greatly.
“Most people suffering from diabetes depend on insulin to manage their blood sugar levels, injecting themselves twice daily, this is why the disease is expensive to manage.”
Diabetes is a chronic condition that disrupts how the body processes blood sugar (glucose).
Type 2 diabetes, the most common form, occurs when the body either does not produce enough insulin or becomes resistant to it.
Insulin is a hormone that helps regulate blood sugar levels and metabolism, which is the process of converting food into energy.
NAN
Follow the Parallel Facts channel on WhatsApp: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029VaCQSAoHgZWiDjR3Kn2E
