DAN want FG to support production of indigenous Diabetes Drugs.
By Dahiru Aminu Kawu
The Federal Government has been urged to support the production of indigenous Diabetes Drugs to enable patients have access to affordable medication and healthcare services.
The National President Diabetes Association of Nigeria, DAN, Dr Muhammad Alkali, made the call at an event to commemorate the 2023 World Diabetes Day with the Theme “Know your Risk, know your Response”, held in Bauchi.
Dr Alkali Muhammad said in view of the current economic realities and the high cost of managing diabetes, there is a compelling need for the government to explore means of subsidising diabetes medication to bring succour to patients across the country.
He said ninety five percent of diabetes drugs used in African countries are expensive due to high rate of dollar exchange at Forex market, hence the need for government to protect and support indeginous pharmaceutical companies to produce affordable drugs.
The DAN National President who is also the Former Chief Medical Director Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University Teaching Hospital ATBUTH Bauchi, used the session and called on government and non-governmental organisations, the medis and other stakeholders to intensify advocacy on the dangers associated with diabetes and how people can prevent themselves from contracting the disease.
In a keynote address, a Chief Consultant with the Federal Teaching Hospital FTH Gombe, Dr Sule John Bethnna said a recent research show that diabetes has cliamed the live of over six million people from 2021 to 2023, making it more dangerous than HIV/AIDS and Tuberculosis.
Dr Bathnna Sule who explained that the tendencies at which people were exposed to diabetes is very minimal considering the types of food and social activities they do, advised them to always go for medical checks and do regular exercises to safeguard themselves.
On his part, the Bauchi State Commissioner of Health Dr Adamu Sambo disclosed that the administration of Governor Bala Muhammad is working towards establishing Diabetes Screening Centers at some selected local government areas of the state.
Speaking to Radio Nigeria, a diabetic patient Hajara Musa Fakuru who said the commemoration of World Diabetes Day serves as an avenue for them to acquire more knowledge on how to manage the ailment, appreciated the association for organising the event.
According to the World Health Organisation, 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, and its symptoms include increased thirst and dry mouth, frequent urination, fatigue, blurred vision, weight loss, numbness or tingling in your hands or feet, slow-healing sores or cuts among others.
