By Onwa Ekor, Calabar
Network of persons living with diabetes in Nigeria (NEPLIDIN) Cross River Chapter, have raised concerns over the high cost of drugs, a development which has left a good number of its members with complications.
The members who appealed for diabetes care and intervention to be included in the 2025 budget also demanded
for free diabetes test and subsidized drugs, in order to live.
Speaking during an advocacy campaign which saw members walking from the Cross River Ministry of Health office in Calabar to the House of Assembly complex, the group led by the National Coordinator, NEPLIDIN, Comrade Bernard Enyia, explained that “lantus insulin which hitherto costs N20,000 now goes for N75,000, while glucometer which was N6,000 has moved to N30,000.”
Accordingly, Enyia told newsmen that, “Most of our members can no longer go to hospital, many can no longer afford drugs, our members are breaking down with complications, some have died and others are in critical condition at the moment.
“We had a pathetic case where the two legs of one of our members were amputated. Besides, to loose a soul, you know the costs of burial in this part of the world, even as the woman could turn a widow in the loss of her spouse, the man a widower if his wife is the victim and dies or affected children orphans, yet the federal and state governments are not doing anything about diabetes.
“We are crying to government to come to our aid, let them make the test which costs not less than N3000 in the hospital, at least free for us,” Enyia appealed.
Other issues the group demanded were palliative to alleviate their sufferings, a functional health insurance, desk officer for non communicable diseases as well as diabetes survey in Cross River.
Receiving the group at the Assembly complex, the Clerk of the House, Barr. Kate Ubi, expressed deep concern on the issues raised by the group.
Touched by the plight, she promised to forward the group’s message to the Speaker, Rt. Hon. Elvert Ayambem, who was unavoidable absent as he was reported to be attending to official matters outside the state capital.
Highlight of the event were the distribution of flyers bearing their passionate appeals by members of the diabetes group.
