Improving access to diabetes care in Nigeria – The GIFSHIP opening

Abstract

Diabetes mellitus, has continued on a relentless upward trajectory globally, with profound socio-economic consequences. Not surprisingly, the International Diabetes Federation in collaboration with the World Health Organization and the United Nations; in commemoration of the World Diabetes Day 2021, aptly chose the theme – ‘Access to Diabetes Care - If Not Now, When?’ for the year 2021 (the centenary anniversary of insulin discovery), till 2023; to underscore the difference which having access to diabetes care can make, in relation to diabetes management. The Group, Individual and Family Social Health Insurance Program (GIFSHIP) is a non-formal sector insurance package for individuals; groups; and family units in Nigeria, recently introduced by the federal government, to improve universal health coverage. The inherent positive contributions of the GIFSHIP, towards improving access to diabetes care in Nigeria was reviewed. MEDLINE, Omni and Google Scholar searches were conducted using keywords - access to diabetes care, barriers to diabetes care, GIFSHIP, and Nigeria. Relevant studies were extracted and reviewed. Authors summarized health care access, narrowing down to diabetes care access. The opportunity for improved access to diabetes care, which the GIFSHIP presents was highlighted. The role of the Diabetes Association of Nigeria (DAN) in advancing the uptake of, and utilization of the GIFSHIP package for their members, was explored. The GIFSHIP showed great promise for improving access to diabetes care in Nigeria, while the DAN was projected as an effective channel for dissemination and uptake of the GIFSHIP among individuals with diabetes.