A general physician, Dr Gerald Chinasa, has identified self-medication and weak regulation of foods and drugs as major contributors to the rising incidence of diabetes in Nigeria.
Chinasa, who is also the Head of the Medical Team at the Heritage Advancement Forum, made the assertion in an interview with reporters on Saturday in Lagos.
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), diabetes prevalence in Nigeria stands at about 4.3 per cent, with the increase largely attributed to lifestyle changes associated with urbanization.
The disease has also been linked to the consumption of unhealthy diets, sugar-sweetened beverages, tobacco use, harmful alcohol intake and physical inactivity.
The physician decried the widespread circulation of fake and substandard products, saying Nigeria lacks effective control and regulation of foods and drugs produced locally or imported into the country.
He alleged that some government agencies responsible for regulatory oversight were weakened by corruption, while individuals involved in producing substandard products were driven by greed.
Chinasa lamented that producers of fake and substandard goods often ignored the health consequences for consumers.
“In Nigeria, all kinds of drinks, noodles and food products are in circulation and freely consumed without proper quality assurance and approval,” he said.
“The end result, in most cases, is non-communicable diseases, particularly diabetes.
“The country should not allow citizens to consume all kinds of food and drug products without effective regulation. Existing rules and guidelines must be strictly enforced,” he added.
Chinasa also identified self-medication, which he described as widespread among Nigerians, as a major contributor to the growing burden of diabetes.
He advised against the practice, stressing that no one should take medication without proper consultation and prescription by a qualified medical practitioner.
According to him, patients should seek care in registered hospitals and allow medical professionals to manage their health conditions.
While noting that diabetes can be hereditary, Chinasa said over-the-counter drug abuse, corruption, greed and poor regulation were significant factors worsening the disease burden in the country.
“Beyond genetic predisposition, self-medication is a major driver of the high incidence of diabetes in Nigeria. There is a pervasive culture of self-medication,” he said.
He explained that diabetes risk increases with age, partly due to a decline in lean body mass and an increase in body fat, particularly visceral fat, which can contribute to insulin resistance.
Chinasa added that diabetes prevalence is rising globally and is projected to affect more than 500 million adults by 2030.
He therefore called for stricter regulation and monitoring of foods and drugs consumed in Nigeria to curb the increasing incidence of diabetes.
The physician also urged the strengthening of regulatory agencies, including the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), to enable them effectively carry out their mandates.
