The National Action on Sugar Reduction (NASR) has partnered with People Living with Diabetes in Nigeria to launch a media campaign to raise awareness about the high costs of treating diabetes in Nigeria.
The coalition has called on President Bola Tinubu to address the steep prices of insulin and other essential diabetes medications.
Comrade Bernard Enyia, Vice-President of the Diabetes Association of Nigeria and a co-chair of the NASR coalition, spoke about this issue during the campaign launch in Abuja.
Enyia, who has diabetes himself, mentioned that the recent increase in insulin prices has made it unaffordable for many patients in the country.
Enyia pointed out that around 11.2 million Nigerians have type 2 diabetes and stressed the need for government action. He suggested that higher taxes on sugary drinks could generate substantial revenue, which could then be used to support costs of diabetes treatment and care, potentially saving lives.
The NASR campaign aims to persuade policymakers to support diabetes patients by implementing effective policies, such as raising taxes on sugary drinks. Since 2022, the price of 10 millilitres of insulin has increased from N3,500 to around N11,000 in 2024. Insulin pens now cost approximately N65,000 each.
“Managing diabetes requires substantial funds, with people living with diabetes spending over N100,000 monthly on insulin, syringes and vital equipment such as glucometers to monitor blood sugar levels,” Enyia said.
He urged the president to increase the sugary drinks tax and allocate the revenue towards treating diabetes and other non-communicable diseases (NCDs). Currently, the tax is 1.67 per cent of the retail price, while the World Health Organisation (WHO) recommends a minimum of 20 per cent.
Raising the tax to this level could generate N729 billion (471.8 million dollars) annually, supporting healthcare initiatives, including diabetes care.
The campaign, which is being promoted in print and online media, includes powerful images that depict the financial burden of insulin and other essential medications on individuals living with diabetes.