Diabetes Patients Decry Neglect, Discrimination

A non-governmental organisation, Network of Persons Living With Diabetes in Nigeria, has accused the government of discriminating against diabetes patients in the country.

The organisation’s national coordinator, Comrade Bernard Enyia, made the allegation on Monday in Calabar during an advocacy visit to the state chairman of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Cross River State Council, Comrade Archibong Bassey.

Enyia, however, condemned the Tinubu administration for stopping the Sugar Sweetening Tax without accounting for earlier deductions made since 2022.

He lamented that the tax was stopped under the guise of stabilising the economy without utilising the earlier deductions for diabetic interventions.

The organisation also expressed concern that the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS) does not cover diabetes treatment, stressing that the Cross River State government has not allocated funds for diabetes care in its budget.

He also said the state health ministry does not have a desk officer for diabetes.

Comrade Enyia described diabetes as a “silent killer” and condemned the stigmatisation of diabetes patients, saying it is wrong to blame them for their ill health due to their lifestyle.

He called on the government to take responsibility for the welfare of diabetes patients.

Responding, the NUJ chairman in the state Comrade Archibong Bassey, lauded the group for their advocacy efforts and assured them that the media would continue to spotlight their challenges and support their call for government action.

He attributed the stigmatization of diabetes patients to ignorance and appealed for support from families, friends, and the government.