Doctors Urge FG to Subsidize Insulin Amid Price Surge

Endocrinologists have called on the Federal Government to subsidize insulin, which has seen a price increase from approximately ₦5,000 to ₦25,000 per vial, during the sixth Annual Ogun State Youth Diabetes Camp organized by the Talabi Diabetes Centre in Abeokuta. Dr. Olubiyi Adeshina, the Camp Coordinator, highlighted that Type 1 diabetes requires lifelong insulin dependency, warning that failure to access insulin could lead to severe health consequences, including coma and death.

Patients may need two vials monthly, costing around ₦50,000, excluding additional expenses. Dr. Ayotunde Ale, the Acting Director of the centre, appealed to President Bola Tinubu for a dedicated policy to support young people with Type 1 diabetes, emphasizing the need for easier access to insulin amid rising costs.

Ale also pointed out that stigma and misconceptions further complicate the lives of those affected, urging the public to seek medical help for children showing diabetes symptoms.