Stakeholders Lament High Cost Of Drugs, Others In Treating Diabetes, as Talabi Diabetes Center Holds 4th Annual Meeting In Abeokuta

In an effort to raise awareness and provide support for individuals living with diabetes, the Talabi Diabetes Camp Cordinator has stated that the floating of Naira has led to an increase in the price of insulin.

The camp cordinator of the Talabi Diabetes Centre, Dr Olubiyi Adesina lamented that the injection (insulin) is given to diabetes patients for free in other neighbouring African countries like Egpyt, South Africa, while other countries like Cameroon and Ghana have improved policies to make the medications affordable

Dr. Adesina who spoke during the 4th Annual Ogun Youth Diabetes Camp Closing Ceremony held at the Youth Development Centre, Olusegun Obasanjo Presidential Library, stated that the camp welcomed 36 young participants, ages 10 to 25, from Enugu, Kwara, Oyo, Lagos, Ogun, and Abuja.

While addressing the students in a communique signed by the Ag. director, Talabi Diabetes Centre, Dr. Ayotunde Ale, explained that type 1 diabetes, a chronic condition caused by the immune system attacking insulin-producing cells in the pancreas, requires diligent management.

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The camp activities aimed to empower participants with knowledge about their condition and foster a sense of community.

“We have 36 young people with Type 1 diabetes who were between the ages of 10 and 25 years, 6 mothers/caregivers, 1 father and 1 observer. Participants were from Enugu, Oyo, Kwara, Lagos and Ogun states and Abuja. This year we have 15 new people joining us this year and it shows that we are making progress with our colleagues from across the country sending the special children to us.

“It is very important to give them this skill that they need to live a fulfilled life and that’s what we are doing through this camp. If the children miss their injection for a day, by third day they might go into a coma. If you allow diabetes it can cut the life short, it may lead to kidney problem, blindness; after road accidents, diabetes is the next cause of amputation in Nigeria.

“It is a big problem to afford insulin in Nigeria. Else where which include our next door neighbours; Egypt, Cameroon, Ghana, South Africa, diabetes patients get insulin free, blood sugar checking meters, Glucometers are gotten free in Cameroon, and diabetes treatment is improving in Ghana similarly.

“An average person with diabetes in Nigeria need between N70,000 to N100,000 monthly for the medication. Prior to the floating of Naira, insulin was about N6,000 but now it’s N8,000 but now it costs about N13,000 to N18,000 to buy and it depends on the dose the patient is using. So, I think the government needs to take a step backward to look at the affordability and access to the medication.

Speaking further on the challenges faced by the children, Doctor Adesina stated that participants noted the persistent difficulties of living with Type 1 diabetes in Nigeria which includes having multiple daily injections of insulin which price has now gone through the roof with prices of insulin pen averaging eighteen-thousand Naira.

“Each pen will be fully used up within a week in most cases. They also painfully noted the discrimination and isolation they face in schools both from teachers and other pupils.

“In addition, the cost of Glucometers used to monitor blood sugar levels now average fifteen thousand Naira and the box of strips to be used with the Glucometers costing about twelve thousand Naira.

“The issue of discrimination brought to the fore the need to ensure that information about diabetes and what students and teachers can do to support their peers/pupils living with diabetes is widely disseminated in schools.

“There is also the need for more bodies across the country to support/organize educational/support sessions for young people living with diabetes.

“The onus is on the Federal Ministry of Health and Ogun State Ministry of Health to continue to train Health Workers on diabetes care and make free Insulin and Glucometers available as occurs in other climes to support these young people living with diabetes.”

Also speaking at the programme, the Permanent Secretary of Ogun State Ministry of Health, Doctor Kayode Oladeinde urged the students to keep their faiths alive and high citing examples of diabetes survivors who are doing well

Dr Oladeinde appreciated the efforts of Talabi Diabetes Centre and all contributors for the initiative. He said “I want to appreciate the Talabi Diabetes Centre and all the facilitators involved in this programme,I want to thank you all for giving hope to our children and the parents.

“We know what the economy is like in this trying times as it is more costly to afford drugs than food at a time like this, so we must appreciate the facilitators.”

Also speaking on the efforts of the government towards cushioning the effects of the economy on price of drugs and other health medications, he stated that the government is making concerted efforts towards bringing succur to the plight of the citizens.

“The government is working round the clock to ensure that we get out of this economic hardship once and for all. The government has assumed a position where the present government doesn’t want to fix things half way and that’s why we are going through this and I can assure you that things will get better.

A parent of one of the students, Engr. Victor Nwabueze appreciated the camp facilitators for the putting up the programme in order to instill knowledge and healthy practice to the students.

He saying it is a special place for special people, hence why I made my daughter join the camp.

“When she came to the camp, she became very fulfilled and informed. I urge participants to take their medicines very well and adhere to guidelines as given by your doctors. I must tell you that you can achieve anything that you want to want achieve in life.

“Don’t let your situation define you. Don’t wait to take initiatives. Be somebody that others can always look up to for her right answers to problems, be positive and don’t let people see you as a hopeless generation.”