Health
Diabetes: Costs of Treatment Skyrockets as Nigerian Body Joins Global Peers to Mark Annual Day November 14
Insulin vial, for instance, which used to cost about N4,000, now sells for about N18,000, representing over 400% increase.
The Diabetes Association of Nigeria (DAN) is joining the global community to mark this year’s diabetes day on Thursday.
The 14th day of November annually is officially designated by the United Nations as World Diabetes Day. It is the largest global diabetes awareness campaign organized by the International Diabetes Federation (IDF).
Dr Ejiofor Ugwu, the National President of the Diabetes Association of Nigeria, disclosed this said that this year’s theme – Diabetes and Well-being – is aimed at emphasizing the negative impact diabetes exerts on the physical, mental, social, and economic well-being of persons living with diabetes.
Dr Ejiofor, an Associate Professor of Medicine, Consultant Physician, Endocrinologist and Diabetologist, revealed that globally, about 540 million people, roughly 1 out of every 10 adults, currently have diabetes and the prevalence is rising relentlessly.
He said:” In Nigeria, about 6-8 million Nigerians (5.7%) have diabetes. This figure represents the tip of the iceberg, as two-thirds of diabetes cases in Nigeria are still undiagnosed due to a lack of routine screening. diabetes kills an estimated 30,000 − 40,000 Nigerians annually.”
Commenting on the treatment of diabetes, Dr Ejiofor added that in the past year, the cost of diabetes medications and consumables has gone astronomically high, beyond the reach of most patients. “
Insulin vial, for instance, which used to cost about N4,000, now sells for about N18,000, representing over 400% increase.
This poses a significant barrier to optimal diabetes care in Nigeria as the majority of patients can no longer afford care, resulting in increased diabetes complications and premature deaths,” he said. Recommendations To Improve Diabetes Care in Nigeria ·
The federal government should as a matter of urgency, subsidize diabetes medications and consumables to make them more affordable to the teeming population of people living with diabetes in Nigeria DAN recommends complete tax waiver in the importation of diabetes medications and consumables ·
The sugar-sweetened beverages tax, which was stopped in June 2024, needs to be revived, and there should be legislation to channel the funds accruing from it to diabetes and related non-communicable diseases prevention. ·
There is a need for a well conducted national survey on non communicable diseases as soon as possible. This will provide accurate data to guide healthcare policy making.
Health
National Data Repository Index Numbers of patients currently on treatment for HIV in Nigeria as at May 13, 2026
Benue: 195,305
- Akwa Ibom: 158,201
- Lagos: 135,918
- Rivers: 90,055
- Nasarawa: 65,996
- FCT: 62,627
- Kaduna: 58,576
- Cross River: 57,765
- Enugu: 55,478
- Delta: 52,475
- Taraba: 51,840
- Abia: 50,038
- Imo: 47,863
- Plateau: 46,618
- Anambra: 46,602
- Adamawa: 42,074
- Kano: 41,093
- Kogi: 37,301
- Oyo: 33,133
- Niger: 33,057
- Ogun: 31,822
- Bauchi: 29,745
- Edo: 29,256
- Gombe: 28,037
- Osun: 25,018
- Borno: 24,527
- Ondo: 22,455
- Kebbi: 20,803
- Bayelsa: 19,549
- Katsina: 18,682
- Ebonyi: 15,474
- Kwara: 14,997
- Jigawa: 14,302
- Zamfara: 13,813
- Ekiti: 12,356
- Yobe: 10,716
- Sokoto: 10,511 Total: 1.70m
The Federal Government has reaffirmed its commitment to the establishment of an Agro-Industrial Business Hub and Mega Livestock Processing Facility in the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja.
The Minister of Livestock Development, Idi Mukhtar Maiha, gave the assurance during a high-level strategic meeting involving the Federal Ministry of Livestock Development, ABIS Group and the Livestock Productivity and Resilience Support Project (LPRES) in Abuja.
The Minister stated that the Ministry would work closely with ABIS Group, LPRES and other stakeholders to ensure the smooth take-off and successful implementation of the project. He explained that the engagement followed Nigeria’s participation in an international training programme on pastoral market access and inclusive contracting models held in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
According to the Minister, the training, organised under the auspices of the African Union Interafrican Bureau for Animal Resources and the African Pastoral Market Development Platform, provided valuable insights into strengthening livestock value chains, improving market systems and promoting quality assurance mechanisms across Africa.
Leader of the ABIS delegation, Ambassador Emmanuel Usman, commended the Ministry for facilitating the group’s participation in the training programme, which brought together delegates from Somalia, Botswana, Ethiopia and Kenya.
Also speaking, LPRES National Coordinator, Sanusi Abubakar, appreciated the Minister for supporting collaboration and inclusiveness in the livestock sector.
The General Manager of ABIS Group, Mr. Kujo Reigans, highlighted key lessons from the training, including the need for a unified quality assurance system, structured outgrower schemes and improved access to funding opportunities through the Development Bank of Nigeria.
He stated that these measures would enhance efficiency, traceability and competitiveness within Nigeria’s livestock industry.
The ABIS team also raised concerns over visa bottlenecks affecting expatriates working on the Abuja Mega Livestock Processing Facility project, calling for streamlined visa processes to ease project implementation and support the timely delivery of the agro-industrial hub in the FCT.
Health
Pharmacists body urges FG to establish presidential committee for sector
The association noted that local drug production currently accounts for just over 38 percent of national demand, far below the 70 percent target set in the National Drug Policy 2021.
The Association of Community Pharmacists of Nigeria (ACPN) urges the Federal Government to establish a presidential committee dedicated to the pharmaceutical sector, implementing the National Drug Distribution Guidelines, and strengthening existing laws against fake drugs.
ACPN made the call while reacting to the government’s recent ban on imported drugs, describing the move as a strategic step toward strengthening local pharmaceutical manufacturing and conserving foreign exchange.
In a statement jointly signed by its National Chairman, Ambrose Ezeh and National Secretary, Omokhafe Ashore, the association said the updated prohibition schedule covering drugs under HS Codes 3003.10.00.00 through 3004.90.00 signals renewed commitment to protecting domestic industry players.
The ACPN specifically highlighted the ban on the importation of commonly used medicines such as paracetamol tablets and syrups, metronidazole, clotrimazole, chloroquine, multivitamins, aspirin and folic acid, as well as topical preparations like penicillin and gentamycin ointments.
It described the development as a “step in the right direction” that would boost investor confidence in Nigeria’s pharmaceutical sector.
The association noted that local drug production currently accounts for just over 38 percent of national demand, far below the 70 percent target set in the National Drug Policy 2021.
It attributed this gap partly to continued dependence on imports, especially from China and India, which it said accounts for about 65 per cent of drug supply in the country.
It also urged reforms in pharmaceutical education and training to expand the pool of skilled professionals across industry, clinical, hospital and community practice.
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