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Inflation threatens access to diabetes care for low-income Nigerians – Stakeholders

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Inflation threatens access to diabetes care for low income Nigerians –

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that in the region, NCDs are responsible for 37 per cent of all deaths, accounting for more than one in three deaths.

Stakeholders in Nigeria’s health sector have raised concerns about the growing impact of inflation on the ability of millions of Nigerians to afford life-saving diabetes care.

The stakeholders said that with inflation tightening its grip on the country’s economy, many people living with diabetes are struggling to afford their medications and essential healthcare services.

They spoke at the 2024 Gatefield Health Summit, themed “Beyond 65,” in Abuja on Wednesday,

At the summit, global health leaders and advocates gathered to discuss the escalating crisis of Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs), particularly diabetes, in Nigeria and sub-Saharan Africa.

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The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that in the region, NCDs are responsible for 37 per cent of all deaths, accounting for more than one in three deaths.

Dr Gafar Alawode, Co-convener of the Universal Health Coverage (UHC2023) Forum, a United Nations high-level meeting, presented a research titled “Impact of Inflation on Affordability and Adherence to Anti-diabetics”.

Alawode’s research highlighted how inflation had severely affected diabetes management, especially for those in the lowest income brackets.

According to the research, the cost of managing diabetes has increased significantly from 2023 to 2024, with the lowest-income earners being hit hardest.

He revealed that the average cost of managing diabetes for individuals in the lowest income quintile had risen by nearly 40 per cent.

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While the researcher said that the average annual income for this group is around N500,000, he said that the cost of diabetes management now stood at N350,000.

“This leaves little room for other essential needs such as food, housing, and transportation.

“Data from the International Diabetes Federation (IDF) and the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) further illustrates that inflation is disproportionately affecting the most vulnerable populations.

“Even middle-income families are feeling the pressure, often cutting back on other healthcare expenses to afford diabetes care,” he said.

For Mrs Adeola Johnson, a 48-year-old diabetic from Lagos, the rising cost of medication has become unbearable.

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“I used to spend N15,000 a month on my medications in 2023. Now, it is nearly N25,000, and I just can not keep up. Some days, I have to skip doses,” Johnson said.

On primary healthcare challenges and solutions, Dr Biobele Davidson of the BudgIt Foundation, and Executive Director of the Policy and Legal Advocacy Centre (PLAC) addressed the broader challenges in Nigeria’s PHC system.

Davidson highlighted the need for better-resourced PHCs that could reduce overcrowding in secondary and tertiary hospitals.

She pointed out that many PHCs were underfunded and understaffed, limiting their effectiveness, particularly in managing chronic conditions like diabetes and hypertension.

She also advocated for using digital platforms to capture patient feedback and improve service delivery, especially in medication access.

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She said that strengthening PHCs would relieve pressure on higher-level hospitals and enhance overall health outcomes.

Supply chain expert, Mrs Azuka Okeke, Regional Director of the Africa Resource Centre (ARC), discussed the negative impact of Nigeria’s chaotic supply chains on healthcare delivery.

Okeke highlighted that while policies and frameworks existed their implementation often fell short, particularly in ensuring access to essential medicines at local healthcare facilities.

She recalled her engagement with pharmaceutical companies in 2018, urging them to produce essential medicines, like malaria treatments, that communities relying on PHCs desperately need.

She said that neglecting public health needs would eventually have consequences for all, including the pharmaceutical companies themselves.

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NAN reports that the two-day summit concluded with a documentary that captured the daily struggles of Nigerians living with diabetes.

The documentary showcased how some Nigerians spend up to 25 per cent of their income on medication, underscoring the human toll of the disease.

Diabetes management is not only a daily battle for many but also a matter of life and death for others, who lose loved ones to preventable complications.

Former President Olusegun Obasanjo also shared his journey with diabetes, stressing the importance of diet and exercise in managing the condition as one age.

His message resonated with the summit’s goal of raising awareness about diabetes and its management.

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The documentary served as a poignant reminder of the significant impact diabetes had on the lives of many Nigerians.
#Inflation #threatens #access #diabetes #care #lowincome #Nigerians #Stakeholders


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Anambra Guber: PDP aspirants to pay N40m for forms

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..Party sets April 5 for primary election

By John Alechenu

Abuja – Aspirants vying for the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) ticket in the November 8, 2025, Anambra State Governorship election will be required to pay N40 million for the Expression of Interest and Nomination Forms.

According to a breakdown of the fees, the Expression of Interest Form costs N5 million, while the Nomination Form is N35 million.

This was disclosed in a document signed by the party’s National Organising Secretary, Umar Bature, in Abuja.

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The PDP also released its official timetable for the election process.

February 24: Sale of forms begins

March 7: Deadline for submission of completed forms to the PDP National Secretariat

March 10: Stakeholders meeting with the National Working Committee (NWC)

March 11: Screening of aspirants

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March 14: Screening appeal hearings

March 19: NWC to approve and release the final list of cleared candidates

March 20 – 21: Ward Congresses to elect three ad-hoc delegates per ward

March 27: Local Government Congress to elect one delegate per LGA

April 5: PDP Governorship Primary Election

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April 8: Appeals on the primary election results

April 10: Presentation of the Certificate of Return to the winner

May 22: Submission of the candidate and running mate’s names to INEC

The PDP’s timetable sets the stage for what is expected to be a keenly contested Anambra Governorship Election, as aspirants jostle for the party’s ticket.

The post Anambra Guber: PDP aspirants to pay N40m for forms appeared first on Vanguard News.

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Senegal’s 2024 poll stands out as West Africa’s best – Jonathan

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Former President Goodluck Jonathan has described Senegal’s 2024 presidential election as the best electoral process he has ever observed in West Africa.

Speaking at the YIAGA Africa Reflection Conference on Democratic Elections in West Africa in Abuja on Tuesday, February 25, Jonathan praised the Senegalese people for their commitment to democracy.

“I must commend the elections in Senegal. To me, it was one of the best elections I have observed in Africa and a few outside Africa,” he said.

He highlighted the peaceful transition of power after opposition candidate Bassirou Diomaye Faye won, noting the significance of a seamless electoral process in stabilising democracy.

“In a nutshell, he provided us with valuable lessons,” Jonathan added.

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READ ALSO: Jonathan recounts how Jega’s ‘card reader’ rejected his family during 2015 election

The former Nigerian leader also pointed to increasing voter turnout in Senegal, Liberia, and Ghana as evidence of growing democratic engagement in the region.

Jega warns against democratic backsliding – urges ECOWAS action

Meanwhile, former INEC Chairman Attahiru Jega raised concerns over the decline of democratic principles in West Africa, warning that citizens’ desire for accountable leadership must not be ignored.

“In spite of the worrisome evidence of backsliding of democratic progress in the West African region, there remains a substantial appetite among citizens for representative and accountable democratic government,” Jega stated.

He called for stronger electoral institutions and active civic engagement to ensure credible elections.

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READ ALSO: Nigeria a failing state, only restructuring can save it – Jega

“There has been noticeable progress in the establishment and strengthening of relatively independent election management bodies in West Africa, although in most cases, a lot remains to be done,” he added.

Jega urged ECOWAS and national governments to prioritise democratic reforms and uphold the integrity of electoral processes.


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Karim Benzema snubs Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi as he reveals the GOAT in football

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Al Ittihad striker, Karim Benzema has snubbed arch-rivals, Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi as he joins the long-running debate about the greatest footballer of all time.  Earlier this month, Ronaldo unequivocally granted himself GOAT status in an interview with Spanish outlet El Chiringuito.   The 40-year-old, who has scored a remarkable 923 career goals, said: ‘I honestly haven’t seen anyone better than me. You have to look at the numbers full stop. ‘I believe I am the most complete player who has ever existed. It’s me. ‘I do everything in football. I play well in terms of heading the ball, I’m good at free-kicks, I’m good with my left foot, I’m quick, I’m strong, I jump. I am the best player ever, I believe that. And now, Karim Benzema, who spent nine seasons with the Portuguese at Real Madrid, has entered the debate.  The Al Ittihad striker said he believes Brazil’s Ronaldo is the greatest footballer of all time. ‘I think everyone can say what they want,’ Benzema told TNT Sports.  ‘If he thinks he is the best in history, then he is. It depends, for me, for example, the best is Ronaldo from Brazil.’  Ronaldo scored 62 goals in 98 matches for Brazil and 104 for Real Madrid during his five-year spell at the European champions.  ‘I don’t like to make comparisons between players, each one has their own story, he [Cristiano] has his own and it’s a very good one,’ Benzema added.  The post Karim Benzema snubs Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi as he reveals the GOATinfootball appeared first on Linda Ikeji Blog.


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