10 Million Nigerians Live With Diabetes – Atiku Expresses Worries

By Atiku Abubakar

As Nigerians join the rest of the world to observe World Diabetes day (WDD) and considering the fact that over 10 million of our people are living with the disease, I call for greater attention to be given for the management of the disease, even as the numbers are expected to double by 2030, if nothing is done urgently.

Considering that there are only 150 endocrinologists in our country, with a fast growing population of more than 220 million to manage the condition, I am very worried, knowing that diabetes is a major cause of blindness, kidney failure, heart attack, stroke and lower limb amputation.

The alarming dearth of endocrinologists is worrisome as these specialists and diabetologists who investigate, diagnose and treat disorders of the endocrine system are grossly insufficient for our population.

To stem the tide, we need to increase the available number of medical personnel to investigate and manage the disease and public awareness of its scourge.

@views exclusive rights: Atiku Abubakar, Peoples Democratic Party, PDP presidential candidate for 2023 General Election, November 14, 2022.