Public Policy and Health System Responses to Diabetes Mellitus in Nigeria: A Call for Reform
Diabetes mellitus, once a rare diagnosis in precolonial and early post-colonial Nigeria, now has the highest prevalence and fatality rates in sub-Saharan Africa. This increased prevalence is attributed to rising population affluence characterized by sedentary lifestyles and higher consumption of pro...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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Taylor & Francis Group
2025-12-01
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| Series: | Health Systems & Reform |
| Online Access: | https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/10.1080/23288604.2025.2477941 |
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| author | Friday Okonofua Lorretta Favour Ntoimo Rosemary Ogu Maradona Isikhuemen |
| author_facet | Friday Okonofua Lorretta Favour Ntoimo Rosemary Ogu Maradona Isikhuemen |
| author_sort | Friday Okonofua |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Diabetes mellitus, once a rare diagnosis in precolonial and early post-colonial Nigeria, now has the highest prevalence and fatality rates in sub-Saharan Africa. This increased prevalence is attributed to rising population affluence characterized by sedentary lifestyles and higher consumption of processed and ultra-processed foods. The burden is further exacerbated by a poorly responsive healthcare system. Currently, less than 50% of affected individuals are aware of their condition. Factors such as misconceptions about the disease, a preference for unproven traditional herbal treatments, and the high cost of treatment hinder effective secondary responses. Health system challenges in diabetes management in Nigeria include inadequate implementation of existing policies and guidelines, high out-of-pocket payments, poor quality of healthcare, and limited public education about the disease. To address these issues, we recommend a policy focus on: 1) Implementing actionable policies and guidelines for diabetes prevention and care; 2) Improving the pre-paid care system to reduce out-of-pocket payments; 3) Enhancing the quality of services at all healthcare levels, with the establishment of centers of excellence for specialized diabetes management; 4) Continuing the training, retraining, motivation, and expansion of the workforce responsible for diabetes care; and 5) Health promotion and health awareness aimed at the public to address inaccurate beliefs and practices about diabetes. Addressing these multifaceted factors will help to reduce the rising incidence of diabetes in Nigeria. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-b0c51c3b25f64ffb8f806c41d83008ba |
| institution | OA Journals |
| issn | 2328-8604 2328-8620 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-12-01 |
| publisher | Taylor & Francis Group |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Health Systems & Reform |
| spelling | doaj-art-b0c51c3b25f64ffb8f806c41d83008ba2025-08-20T02:30:04ZengTaylor & Francis GroupHealth Systems & Reform2328-86042328-86202025-12-0111110.1080/23288604.2025.2477941Public Policy and Health System Responses to Diabetes Mellitus in Nigeria: A Call for ReformFriday Okonofua0Lorretta Favour Ntoimo1Rosemary Ogu2Maradona Isikhuemen3Centre of Excellence in Reproductive Health Innovation (CERHI), University of Benin, Benin City, NigeriaCentre of Excellence in Reproductive Health Innovation (CERHI), University of Benin, Benin City, NigeriaWomen’s Health and Action Research Centre, Benin City, NigeriaDepartment of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Benin, NigeriaDiabetes mellitus, once a rare diagnosis in precolonial and early post-colonial Nigeria, now has the highest prevalence and fatality rates in sub-Saharan Africa. This increased prevalence is attributed to rising population affluence characterized by sedentary lifestyles and higher consumption of processed and ultra-processed foods. The burden is further exacerbated by a poorly responsive healthcare system. Currently, less than 50% of affected individuals are aware of their condition. Factors such as misconceptions about the disease, a preference for unproven traditional herbal treatments, and the high cost of treatment hinder effective secondary responses. Health system challenges in diabetes management in Nigeria include inadequate implementation of existing policies and guidelines, high out-of-pocket payments, poor quality of healthcare, and limited public education about the disease. To address these issues, we recommend a policy focus on: 1) Implementing actionable policies and guidelines for diabetes prevention and care; 2) Improving the pre-paid care system to reduce out-of-pocket payments; 3) Enhancing the quality of services at all healthcare levels, with the establishment of centers of excellence for specialized diabetes management; 4) Continuing the training, retraining, motivation, and expansion of the workforce responsible for diabetes care; and 5) Health promotion and health awareness aimed at the public to address inaccurate beliefs and practices about diabetes. Addressing these multifaceted factors will help to reduce the rising incidence of diabetes in Nigeria.https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/10.1080/23288604.2025.2477941 |
| spellingShingle | Friday Okonofua Lorretta Favour Ntoimo Rosemary Ogu Maradona Isikhuemen Public Policy and Health System Responses to Diabetes Mellitus in Nigeria: A Call for Reform Health Systems & Reform |
| title | Public Policy and Health System Responses to Diabetes Mellitus in Nigeria: A Call for Reform |
| title_full | Public Policy and Health System Responses to Diabetes Mellitus in Nigeria: A Call for Reform |
| title_fullStr | Public Policy and Health System Responses to Diabetes Mellitus in Nigeria: A Call for Reform |
| title_full_unstemmed | Public Policy and Health System Responses to Diabetes Mellitus in Nigeria: A Call for Reform |
| title_short | Public Policy and Health System Responses to Diabetes Mellitus in Nigeria: A Call for Reform |
| title_sort | public policy and health system responses to diabetes mellitus in nigeria a call for reform |
| url | https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/10.1080/23288604.2025.2477941 |
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