The National Action on Sugar Reduction (NASR), in collaboration with Persons Living with Diabetes in Nigeria, has launched a media call-to-action campaign aimed at raising awareness about the high cost of diabetes treatment in the country.
The coalition urged President Bola Tinubu to urgently address the exorbitant prices of insulin and other essential medications for people living with diabetes.
Vice-president of the Diabetes Association of Nigeria, Comrade Bernard Enyia made this appeal during the campaign launch on Monday in Abuja. Enyia, who is also a co-chair of the NASR coalition and a person living with diabetes, lamented the recent surge in insulin prices, which has made it unaffordable for many diabetes patients across the country.
“With an estimated 11.2 million Nigerians living with type 2 diabetes, it is crucial for the government to take action,” Enyia stated. “Implementing higher taxes on sugary drinks can generate substantial revenue for the government, which can be used to fund diabetes treatment and care, ultimately saving and safeguarding lives.”
Enyia emphasised that NASR’s campaign aims to drive policymakers to support people living with diabetes through policy best buys, such as raising taxes on the consumption of sugary drinks. Since 2022, the price of 10 millilitres of insulin has soared from N3,500 to approximately N11,000 in 2024. Additionally, insulin pens now cost around 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,” he lamented.
Enyia called on the president to increase and allocate revenue from Nigeria’s sugary drinks tax towards the treatment and care of people living with diabetes and other non-communicable diseases (NCDs) in the country. Currently, the tax stands at 1.67 per cent of the retail price, while the World Health Organisation (WHO) recommends a minimum of 20 percent. Research suggests that raising the tax to this level could generate N729 billion (471.8 million dollars) annually, supporting much-needed healthcare initiatives, including diabetes care.
The campaign, launched across print and online media, features striking images that tell the stories of individuals living with diabetes, particularly highlighting the financial toll of insulin and other essential medications on their well-being. “Diabetes took my eye. Insulin prices could take my life,” one image poignantly states.
Science Nigeria reports that WHO has issued a warning, indicating that NCDs are poised to become the leading cause of mortality in Africa by 2030 unless swift actions are taken by member states. The 2018 WHO country profiles show that NCDs accounted for 29 percent of all deaths in Nigeria, with cardiovascular diseases responsible for 11 per cent of all NCD deaths. The country profile also shows that the risk of dying prematurely from NCDs in Nigeria is 22 per cent, defined as death occurring between ages 30 and 70 from any common NCDs.
NASR is a coalition dedicated to raising awareness of the health harms of sugary drinks and advocating for policies that promote public health in Nigeria.
