The Endocrine and Metabolism Society of Nigeria (EMSON) has warned that the high cost of diabetes medicines, insulin and monitoring devices, alongside a shortage of specialist doctors, is restricting access to treatment and weakening endocrine healthcare delivery across the country.
The society called on the Federal Government, the National Health Insurance Authority and relevant regulatory agencies to expand health insurance coverage, improve access to diagnostic services and increase investment in specialist training.
The recommendations were contained in a communiqué issued after EMSON’s 47th Annual General Meeting and Scientific Conference, held in Abuja from September 23 to 25, 2026. It was signed by the society’s President, Prof. Andrew E. Uloko; Secretary-General, Dr Oluwarotimi Olopade; and Publicity Secretary, Prof. Michael Olamoyegun.
The endocrinologists said Nigeria was facing a growing burden of diabetes, obesity, hypertension, abnormal blood lipid levels and other metabolic disorders, while access to diagnosis, medicines, medical technology and long-term patient monitoring remained inadequate.
“Essential endocrine medicines, insulin, glucose monitoring tools, and newer diabetes and obesity therapies remain unaffordable or inaccessible for many Nigerians,” the communiqué stated.
EMSON also identified the shortage and uneven distribution of endocrinologists and other specialist healthcare workers as major obstacles to effective treatment, warning that the continued migration of skilled professionals was further weakening the country’s specialist capacity.
“A critical shortage and uneven distribution of endocrinologists and allied professionals persist. Brain drain continues to weaken specialist capacity,” it said.
To address the challenge, the society advocated increased postgraduate training opportunities in endocrinology and metabolic medicine, alongside stronger mentorship programmes, continuing professional development and strategies to retain skilled personnel.
It also called for a more equitable distribution of specialist services across the six geopolitical zones to reduce disparities in access to treatment.
On healthcare delivery, the society urged the government to strengthen diabetes services at primary and secondary healthcare facilities, stressing that early diagnosis and comprehensive management were essential to preventing complications.
It said diabetes care should extend beyond blood sugar control to include cardiovascular risk reduction and regular screening for complications.
The society further called for national strategies to prevent and manage obesity and related metabolic conditions, with greater emphasis on lifestyle medicine and multidisciplinary care.
According to the communiqué, effective management should involve physicians, nutritionists, psychologists, physiotherapists and other relevant professionals.
EMSON also highlighted the need to improve care for women with endocrine and metabolic conditions, including polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), menopause-related disorders and diabetes during pregnancy.
It called for stronger public awareness, screening and treatment services, as well as the inclusion of women’s endocrine healthcare in national health insurance coverage.
On child and adolescent health, the society expressed concern over gaps in the early detection, referral and management of endocrine disorders.
It recommended national registries for congenital and rare endocrine conditions and the establishment of structured transition clinics for adolescents aged 13 to 15.
The proposed clinics would bring paediatric and adult endocrinologists together to review patients as they move into adult healthcare services, helping to maintain continuity of treatment, reduce loss to follow-up and improve long-term outcomes.
The society also identified inadequate local research evidence as a major constraint on effective management of endocrine diseases in Nigeria.
It called for increased funding for clinical, epidemiological and translational research, alongside stronger partnerships between Nigerian institutions and international research organisations.
“Nigeria needs stronger epidemiological, clinical and translational research, as well as multicentre collaborations to generate locally relevant evidence,” the communiqué stated.
The concerns come against the backdrop of a rising diabetes burden in Nigeria. The International Diabetes Federation’s 2025 Diabetes Atlas estimated that 2.99 million Nigerian adults aged 20 to 79 were living with diabetes in 2024, with approximately 78.7 per cent of cases undiagnosed.
The federation projected that the number of adults living with the condition in Nigeria could rise to 6.6 million by 2050 if current trends continue.
The conference, themed “Endocrine Practice in Nigeria: Improving Patient Care and Outcomes Through Advocacy,” brought together endocrinologists, diabetologists, family physicians, surgeons, obstetricians and gynaecologists, laboratory scientists, pharmacists, nurses, researchers and policymakers.
The opening ceremony was chaired by the FCT Mandate Secretary for Health Services and Environmental Secretariat, Dr Adedolapo Fasawe, while the keynote address was delivered by Prof. Anas Sabir, former Chief Medical Director of Usmanu Danfodiyo University Teaching Hospital, Sokoto.
The scientific programme featured 56 research papers presented through oral sessions and moderated poster presentations, in addition to symposia, workshops and interactive discussions.
At the society’s annual general meeting, Uloko was elected president for the 2026–2028 tenure.
Other elected officers include Dr Olubiyi Adesina as first vice-president; Prof. Christian I. Okafor as second vice-president; Dr Ibitrokoemi F. Korubo as third vice-president; and Olopade as secretary-general.
EMSON announced that its 48th Annual General Meeting and Scientific Conference would hold in Enugu State in September 2027.
