Insurance Against Diabetes Project
Diabetes is a chronic illness causing significant disability and deaths. Each year, about 1.5 million persons die of complications from diabetes like stroke, kidney failure and heart attacks. Diabetes is also a major cause of blindness and lower limb amputations, all stemming from poor blood glucose control due to absence of or non-compliance with treatment. According to a study conducted by Health Compass Initiative in 2021, about 45 percent of persons living with diabetes were not compliant with their treatment and medication due to financial constraints and consequent inability to afford the cost of treatment. Additionally, most of those involved in the study were uninsured and lacked insurance coverage for their health. In Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria, over 97 percent of the population lack access to health insurance and are not covered by any social health insurance program.
Because Diabetes runs a chronic course and treatment is life-long hence, we realize that any approach to diabetes care must prioritize the ability to access quality healthcare. Our motivation to undertake this project stemmed from the fact that many people living with diabetes were in dire straits. With the worsening socioeconomic situation in Nigeria, some patients have been forced to make a decision between paying for food or buying their medicines. Hearing the stories of patients who had suffered severe morbidities that were preventable gave us the drive to bring this project to life. We conceptualized this project with the aim of providing free health insurance to people living with diabetes, supporting them with free glucometers to ensure optimal blood glucose monitoring and also create a support group for persons living with Diabetes.
The “Insurance Against Diabetes” Project was launched on Saturday, 15th June, 2024 at the Conference hall of the University of Uyo Teaching Hospital (UUTH). In attendance was Mr. Williams Ekiokobo, the state coordinator of the National Health Insurance Authority, Akwa Ibom State (NHIA AKS); Dr. Blessing Ubani, Consultant Endocrinologist at the University of Uyo Teaching Hospital (UUTH); Mr. Edet Elijah Esiet, the NHIA Coordinator, University of Uyo Teaching Hospital (UUTH), Dr. Inimfon Inyang, the President of Health Compass Initiative and our team of volunteers.
During the event, we also had people living with diabetes in attendance and we used the avenue to educate them about Diabetes care and the need for good glycaemic control to prevent complications. We also introduced them to the social health insurance scheme we enrolled them into and enlightened them on how to access the services provided under the scheme. During the interactive session, we had the pleasure of addressing their questions and concerns while also presenting them free glucometers and strips to ensure they have the opportunity monitor their blood glucose levels independently at home. Additionally, we launched a support group for persons living with diabetes which will serve as a point of call for further interaction, education and follow up of the beneficiaries with the aim of scaling up this project. Through this support group, we hope to help patients living with diabetes live a healthy, productive and long life in line with our vision.
