Tag: Gatefield

Gatefield has urged President Bola Tinubu to establish a Diabetes Medicines Subsidy Fund in response to alarming findings from a recent report.

The organization said the urgency for government action is underscored by the fact that one in every 17 adults in Nigeria lives with diabetes, with complications affecting various organs when left untreated.

The study, presented at the ongoing Gatefield Health Summit 2024 in Abuja, highlights a growing crisis as hospitals struggle to manage emergencies caused by a lack of accessible treatment for diabetes.

The summit focuses on tackling the escalating crisis of non-communicable diseases (NCDs) in Nigeria and Sub-Saharan Africa, which account for 37% of deaths in the region—more than one in three fatalities.

Titled ‘Impact of Inflation on Affordability and Adherence to Anti-diabetics’, the report, conducted by Gatefield in collaboration with DGI Consults, reveals that soaring drug prices are burdening patients and pushing healthcare facilities to their limits.

Consequently, an increasing number of Nigerians are seeking emergency care due to complications arising from untreated diabetes.

According to the study, the average cost of Diabetes management in 2024, is about ₦1 million, compared to less than ₦500,000 in 2023.

During the presentation of the study’s findings, Gafar Alawode, the principal investigator, stated that the costs of treating diabetes have become unaffordable for the vast majority of Nigerians, leading to a crisis in hospitalizations.

“The poorest of the poor require over 600% of their annual income for basic treatment. We are seeing fewer diabetic patients in clinics and more in emergency rooms,” he said.

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Given this, Gatefield called on the President to urgently implement a diabetes drug subsidy, in addition to sustainable funding through increased sugar taxes, as part of broader efforts to address the rising healthcare crisis in Nigeria.

“WHO recommends that the government introduce a minimum 20% tax to help drive down consumption.

“We need to incentivize healthier lifestyles while making it possible for every Nigerian to access affordable diabetes medication. The funds from the sugar-sweetened beverage taxes must go directly into subsidizing these drugs,” Shirley Ewang, the Advocacy Lead at Gatefield. 

The crisis was highlighted in a documentary ‘The Silent Epidemic: Diabetes in Nigeria’, presented by Adesuwa Giwa-Osagie which featured former President Olusegun Obasanjo, among others

The documentary revealed stark statistics about diabetes medication pricing, with some treatments now costing up to ₦500,000 monthly.

It also showed how essential medications like Lantus have seen price increases of over 100%, jumping from ₦10,000 to ₦150,000 per pack.

The former President, who shared his struggles living with diabetes for 50 years, emphasised the importance of early intervention and lifestyle changes such as a sugar-free diet and regular exercise.

“Watch your weight, what you eat, and how you eat. When you see yourself bloating out, you know you are not doing what you are supposed to do,” he said.

On his part, Tobe Oloye, a pharmacist, said: “The average cost of medication has affected the health of individuals because they can’t afford it and so they skip their doses and it affects their adherence to treatment.

“It causes financial strain on patients, making patients miss their chance of preventive care,” noted Pharm.

“Without intervention, patients will continue to skip doses, leading to severe complications and increased burden on our healthcare system.”

Other experts, including Ify Omesiete, a nutritionist, reinforced the urgent need for action, emphasizing the necessity of educating families on healthier eating habits, noting that prevention begins at home.

Asmau Ribadu from the Hope for Her Foundation highlighted the disproportionate impact of diabetes on women, particularly in relation to pregnancy and reproductive health.

Advocating for a comprehensive approach to enhancing Nigeria’s primary healthcare system, Nonso Nwaokorie, Principal at the Solina Center for International Development, called for a holistic strategy that includes robust supply chain policies, well-trained healthcare workers, and active community engagement.

He stressed that equipping healthcare professionals and fostering community involvement is essential to bridging the gap between policy and practice.

On her part, Azuka Okeke, Chief Executive Officer of the Africa Resource Center for Excellence in Supply Chain Management, also emphasized the importance of effective supply chain management in ensuring accessible healthcare.

She urged state governments to prioritize the procurement and distribution of essential medicines and support local pharmaceutical production to alleviate the ongoing shortage of vital drugs.

Biobele Davidson, Managing Director of Strengthening Health Systems at Budgit, underscored the need for tailored care models for chronic diseases like diabetes and cardiovascular conditions, noting that investing in these models, along with leveraging digitalization, can empower patients and communities to provide feedback that informs policy improvements.