By Frank Ulom
CALABAR (CONVERSEER) – Padbank Mobile Outreach, the Network of Persons Living with Diabetes in Nigeria (NPLDN), the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) Cross River State Council, and several development partners on Friday gathered at Millennium Park, Calabar, to mark the 2025 World Diabetes Day, calling for improved government funding, an end to stigmatisation, and proper use of Sugar-Sweetened Beverages (SSBs) tax revenue for tackling non-communicable diseases.
The event was held under the global theme, “Diabetes and Well-being,” with a local emphasis on “Diabetes in the Workplace.” It provided an advocacy platform to address the challenges facing an estimated 11.2 million Nigerians living with diabetes.
Flagging off the campaign, the Commissioner for Health, Dr Henry Egbe Ayuk, pledged to relay the concerns raised to the government for increased funding. Represented by Mrs Roseline Ogar, Director of Nursing Services, he emphasised the need for holistic support for persons living with diabetes, especially in work environments where stigma remains prevalent.
“In the workplace, most of our diabetic patients, when they complain about being broken down or they are going to the hospital for their checkup, they are being mocked, they are being stigmatised,” she said. “It is high time we accept those with diabetes, live well with them, support them psychologically, support them physically, and give them holistic care.”
He further stressed that prevention remains as important as treatment, explaining that diabetes is not infectious but may be hereditary or linked to lifestyle habits such as unhealthy diets and lack of physical activity.
The campaign was led by Comrade Archibong Bassey, Executive Director of Padbank Mobile Outreach and Chairman of the NUJ, Cross River Council. She called for stronger policy actions to address the growing burden of diabetes and other non-communicable diseases.
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“Diabetes is no respecter of persons. That’s why Padbank Mobile Outreach and the NUJ are standing in solidarity with the Network of Persons Living with Diabetes to call for stronger policy action to tackle the rising cost of dealing with diabetes and other non-communicable diseases,” she said. She urged the public to get screened, adding, “Know your status.”
Comrade Bernard Enyia, National Coordinator of NPLDN, expressed concern over what he described as the government’s neglect of diabetes care. He lamented the lack of state and federal interventions, the financial strain on patients, and the government’s failure to mark the annual World Diabetes Day.
Enyia also raised concerns about the SSBs tax, noting that revenue collected at the federal level has not been properly utilised. “Funds from the sugar-sweetened beverages tax deductions by the Nigeria Customs Service have not been utilised or channelled into the health component of non-communicable diseases,” he said.
Speaking on the human impact of the disease, the Chief Executive Officer of African Dignity Foundation, Leader Ben Usang, said many patients face dignity-threatening complications due to lack of resources. “Those who are not able to have resources to treat diabetes are in a situation of indignity,” he noted. He assured continued support for the network until the advocacy gains the needed attention.
The second phase of the day’s commemoration involved the distribution of sanitary pads to female students of Government Science and Technical School, Nsemo, Ikot Ishie, Calabar, alongside free blood sugar screening for teachers and students.
More photos below…
