The Diabetes Association of Nigeria (DAN) has called on the Federal Government to urgently subsidise diabetes medicines and medical supplies, expand health insurance coverage and establish a national policy to improve access to treatment for millions of Nigerians living with the condition.

The association made the appeal in an open letter to the Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Professor Muhammad Ali Pate, ahead of World Diabetes Day, observed annually on November 14.

DAN’s National President, Professor Ejiofor Ugwu, said an estimated 11.4 million Nigerians were living with diabetes, warning that the rising cost of medicines and essential supplies was making it increasingly difficult for patients to manage the lifelong condition.

According to the association, the prices of diabetes medicines and consumables have increased by more than 500 per cent over the past five years, with monthly treatment expenses estimated at between ₦200,000 and ₦300,000 for some patients.

Ugwu said the high cost of care had left many patients unable to maintain consistent treatment. He added that only about one-third of diagnosed patients received appropriate care, while only a third of those receiving treatment achieved good blood sugar control.

The association warned that inadequate diagnosis and poor access to treatment could expose patients to serious complications, including kidney failure, blindness, stroke, heart disease and limb amputations.

Among its recommendations, DAN called for immediate subsidies on insulin, oral diabetes medicines, glucometers and blood glucose test strips. It also urged the government to grant tax waivers on imported essential diabetes medicines and medical supplies to reduce their cost.

The association further called for wider and more affordable health insurance coverage, particularly for people in rural communities, with diabetes medicines and routine blood glucose monitoring included in the benefits package.

It also wants the Federal Government to fast-track a National Diabetes Policy and Strategic Plan, supported by dedicated funding, to coordinate prevention, diagnosis and treatment programmes across the country.

Other recommendations include establishing a national diabetes registry, strengthening primary healthcare centres to manage uncomplicated cases and conducting a national survey to provide more reliable data on the prevalence of the disease.

DAN also advocated the revival and increase of the tax on sugar-sweetened beverages, with proceeds directed towards preventing and managing diabetes and other non-communicable diseases.

The association said the government needed to move beyond awareness campaigns and introduce practical measures that would make treatment accessible to people who cannot afford the rising costs.

Diabetes is a chronic condition that affects the body’s ability to regulate blood glucose. Without appropriate management, it can damage vital organs and lead to life-threatening complications.

However, the 11.4 million figure cited by DAN should be understood as the association’s estimate. The International Diabetes Federation’s 2025 estimates put the number of adults aged 20 to 79 living with diabetes in Nigeria at approximately three million in 2024. The figures use different estimates and age coverage, highlighting the need for more comprehensive national data.

The latest appeal renews concerns about the affordability of diabetes care in Nigeria, where patients often have to pay out of pocket for medicines, consultations and monitoring supplies.