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The Endocrinology and Metabolism Society of Nigeria (EMSON) has revealed that over 10 million Nigerians are living with diabetes. According to EMSON, the figure is expected to double by 2030, if the challenge is not drastically addressed. The society also decried the dearth of experts in the field. While Nigeria’s population is estimated to be more than 220 million, it has only 150 endocrinologists. The doctor/patient ration in relation to the disease is about 1:1,000,000 to manage the condition. Endocrinologists are experts who treat diabetes and related ailments.
This was disclosed at an event to mark this year’s World Diabetes Day (WDD) on November 14. The WDD is a day set aside by the United Nations following the interventions of the International Diabetes Federation (IDF) and the World Health Organisation (WHO) to raise awareness on the growing burden of diabetes and strategies to prevent and manage it. The theme of this year’s WDD is “Access to Diabetes Care.” It is targeted to highlight the importance of prevention and response efforts to reduce the burden of the disease.
African nations should pay urgent attention to the disease considering the rise of the menace in the region. Currently, about 24 million adults are currently living with the disease on the continent and the number has been predicted to increase by 129 per cent to 55 million by 2045. Every year, diabetes kills about 4 million people worldwide. Last year, the disease accounted for the death of 416 000 people in Africa and it has been predicted to become one of the leading causes of death in Africa by 2030.
In Nigeria, about 10 million people are suffering from the condition. This shows an increase of 4 million from the six million posted in 2021. The increase in the number of people suffering from the disease in Nigeria is an indication that not much is being done to curb the challenge. The WHO estimates that about 537 million people are living with diabetes worldwide. It says that about half of this figure does not know that they have the disease. This indicates that one in two people with the disease is undiagnosed. Diabetes is one of the largest global health emergencies of the 21st century, largely because of its severe and deadly consequences. Unfortunately, millions of people living with diabetes around the world do not have access to appropriate care and treatment.
Diabetes is a chronic disease that occurs either when the pancreas does not produce enough insulin or when the body cannot effectively use the insulin it produces. Early signs of diabetes include are feeling more thirsty than usual; frequent urination; loss of weight; feeling tired and weak; feeling irritable or having other mood changes. Others include, having blurry vision; sores that won’t heal; developing infections, such as gum, skin and vaginal infections. According to experts, diabetes is the only major non-communicable disease (NCD) for which the risk of dying early is increasing, rather than decreasing. It affects virtually all organs of the body, resulting in loss of vision, dental problem, kidney failure, cardiovascular disease, lower limb amputation, sexual dysfunction, among others, when not properly controlled. People with diabetes are also at higher risk of severe COVID-19 symptoms. Diabetes could be hereditary. Other factors such as overweight and obesity, sedentary lifestyle, unhealthy diets, smoking and alcohol abuse can lead to the disease.
In Nigeria, the awareness about diabetes remains too low, hence the detection of a large number of cases occurs only when complications have set in. It is estimated that in urban towns and cities in Nigeria, diabetes affects one in 10 adults. The President of EMSON and Consultant Endocrinologist/Physician at the Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH), Idi-Araba, Prof. Olufemi Fasanmade, has pointed out that the total number of people in the country with diabetes is the highest in sub-Saharan Africa; higher than the number of those with tuberculosis, Human Immuno-deficiency Virus (HIV)/Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS) and COVID-19 put together. Therefore, diabetes kills more people in Nigeria than COVID-19, tuberculosis, HIV/AIDS and cancer combined.
The alarm raised by the endocrinologists over the disease should therefore be taken seriously. Awareness about the disease remains a key factor in saving the lives of several people afflicted by it. Early detection, appropriate lifestyle changes and adhering to prescriptions could help in managing the condition. The government and other stakeholders in the health sector should provide adequate information on the symptoms of the disease, preventive measures and management options. Diabetes is a serious and costly health challenge but not a death sentence.
When properly diagnosed, it can be managed for a long period. We urge Nigerians to go for regular health checks and maintain healthy lifestyle. Let the government subsidise the cost of treatment and management of the disease.
