Daily Post Nigeria Diabetes: ‘We’re waiting for death’ – Over six million Nigerians battle for life as cost of healthcare skyrockets Home News Politics Metro Entertainment Sport Health Diabetes: ‘We’re waiting for death’ – Over six million Nigerians battle for life as cost of healthcare skyrockets Published on November 15, 2024 By Ihechukwu Sunday At least six million Nigerians living with diabetes are currently facing an existential threat due to the skyrocketing cost of healthcare in the country. DAILY POST reports that the economic hardship caused by the removal of fuel subsidies and the foreign exchange crisis is also affecting the health sector, as the cost of healthcare services continues to surge. On Tuesday, the Diabetes Association of Nigeria (DAN) raised the alarm that about 30,000 to 40,000 Nigerians die annually from the condition, largely due to the inability to afford basic healthcare services needed to manage it.
The National President of the association, Dr Ejiofor Ugwu, in a statement to mark the United Nations’ World Diabetes Day on November 14, said, “about 6-8 million Nigerians have diabetes.” The DAN president expressed concern that this figure represents only the “tip of the iceberg” as two-thirds of diabetes cases in Nigeria are still undiagnosed due to a lack of routine screening. According to him, managing diabetes in Nigeria is fraught with challenges, including a high level of poverty, low awareness campaigns, a shortage of.
