The Network of Persons Living with Diabetes in Cross River State has made a passionate appeal to the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Cross River State Council, seeking media support and urgent government intervention to address the growing challenges faced by diabetics in the state.
During a courtesy visit to the NUJ Secretariat in Calabar, the group, led by its State Coordinator, Comrade Bernard Enyia, decried the neglect, high cost of insulin, and lack of institutional support that have continued to endanger the lives of thousands of persons living with diabetes.
“We are dying silently,” Enyia said. “Many of our members have lost their lives, while others are struggling to survive due to the high cost of insulin and the absence of government-backed support systems.”
He noted that despite being a lifelong condition requiring continuous management, diabetes has not received the attention it deserves in Cross River’s health sector. According to him, the Ministry of Health currently has no desk officer for diabetes, the state does not commemorate World Diabetes Day, and the Health Insurance Scheme excludes essential diabetes drugs such as insulin.
Comrade Enyia further highlighted other challenges, including the absence of trained diabetes educators, poor data management, and the financial hardship faced by patients during hospital strikes or service disruptions.
Key Demands of the Diabetes Network
The group presented a list of demands to the state government, urging immediate action to:
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Establish and adequately fund a Diabetes Desk at the Ministry of Health.
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Include diabetes care in the state’s annual health budget.
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Expand the Health Insurance Scheme to cover insulin and essential diabetes medications.
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Train health workers in all 18 LGAs as diabetes educators.
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Integrate diabetes services into Primary Health Care (PHC) facilities.
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Provide free blood sugar testing in public hospitals.
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Subsidize diabetes drugs and provide mobility support for amputees.
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Observe World Diabetes Day annually in the state.
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Include persons with diabetes in SME and social investment programmes.
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Conduct a statewide survey to determine diabetes prevalence.
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Launch a public awareness campaign on diabetes prevention and management.
NUJ Promises Media Support
Responding, the Chairman of the NUJ, Cross River State Council, commended the Network for its advocacy and reaffirmed the media’s commitment to amplifying their voices.
“The media remains the voice of the voiceless,” he said. “We will ensure your message reaches the government and the public. No one should have to die because they cannot afford insulin.”
In his closing remarks, Comrade Enyia expressed gratitude to the NUJ for their solidarity and pledged continued collaboration to ensure that the voices of persons living with diabetes are heard and acted upon.
— Reported by Calabargist News
