Doctors have raised the alarm over a sharp rise in the cost of insulin, warning that the medication, essential for survival for people living with Type 1 diabetes, has become increasingly out of reach for many young Nigerians.

The concern was raised on Wednesday during the sixth Annual Ogun State Youth Diabetes Camp, organised by the Talabi Diabetes Centre in Abeokuta. Speaking at the event, the centre’s Camp Coordinator, Dr Olubiyi Adeshina, said a vial of insulin that used to cost about ₦5,000 now sells for approximately ₦25,000, a fivefold increase that has placed a heavy financial burden on patients and their families.

According to Adeshina, many patients require about two vials a month, bringing the total monthly cost of insulin alone to roughly ₦50,000, not including additional expenses such as blood glucose monitoring.

For people living with Type 1 diabetes, an autoimmune condition where the pancreas stops producing insulin entirely, the medication isn’t optional. “All the days of their lives, at least three times a day, they will need to inject that insulin, or else the blood sugar goes excessively high,” he said, warning that prolonged failure to access insulin can lead to dangerously high blood sugar, coma, and death.

The centre’s Acting Director, Dr Ayotunde Ale, echoed the concern, describing the price increase as a growing crisis compounded by inflation. “Insulin is very, very expensive. Now, with inflation and everything ongoing in society, a packet, a month’s supply, now costs about ₦25,000 against ₦5,000 that we used to purchase insulin,” she said.

Beyond the cost burden, Ale also addressed a separate, deeply rooted challenge facing families of children with undiagnosed diabetes: cultural misconceptions that often prevent early testing.

She urged parents not to attribute unexplained childhood deaths to spiritual causes without first seeking medical screening. “All those children we call ogbanje, they die in their youth, and you don’t know the cause. Don’t call them ogbanje. Please, come for testing. Let’s do screening for all these children,” she said.

Both doctors called on the Federal Government to introduce a dedicated policy and subsidy framework to make insulin more accessible for people living with Type 1 diabetes, particularly children and young adults.

Ale further appealed to the National Assembly to address the broader challenges facing patients, warning that treatment costs could significantly affect their quality of life if left unaddressed.

The Talabi Diabetes Centre currently stands as the only non-profit organisation in Nigeria dedicated specifically to primary diabetic care, and both doctors called for more NGOs and stakeholders to get involved in supporting people living with the condition

In a post on X, Omori expressed his sadness over how a single dialysis session costs over ₦100,000, with some patients requiring at least three sessions weekly. He compared this to the national minimum wage of ₦70,000, questioning how ordinary Nigerians could ever afford such life-saving care.

Dialysis is about 100k plus per session; sometimes you need 3 sessions in a week, minimum wage is 70k. Knowing this fact brought me tears in the hospital cause no hope for the common man.

The 30-year-old’s post sparked debate online, with many Nigerians sharing their frustrations about the state of the country’s healthcare system, and others comparing Nigeria to other countries.

See some reactions below:

“In Türkiye is free for citizens, I saw a man who has been on dialysis for decades and still looking healthy….Nigerians keep selling their votes for 5k every 4-year election circles, while churches keep selling faith every Sunday but reality is our Healthcare system is nothing to write home about. Dialysis machines are not expensive 💔”

Your President has been thoughtful about it. That’s why 80% dialysis subsidies is implemented.

This is where the phrase “bigman big sickness; poor man small sickness” comes from. Before a poor man gets to the level of needing dialysis they would’ve already died. Very sad reality of not being rich in Nigeria .”

“The reason I fight for good governance is me see that you can actually get this for free in the country I live. A young Nigerian guy was doing this for almost 4years until he had his kidney replaced and all this was done for free, like he did not pay a dime. If that young man was living in Nigeria, he would have been gone and buried.”

Your brain is the control center of your entire body; it handles your thoughts, memories, emotions, and even how you move. Just like any other important part of your body, your brain needs care and attention to stay healthy. Many people unknowingly follow habits every day that slowly damage brain function. Here are five common daily habits that could be harming your brain without you even realizing it

1. Skipping Breakfast

You’ve heard it before: breakfast is the most important meal of the day. Yet many people rush out the door without eating. When you skip breakfast, your brain doesn’t get the glucose (sugar) it needs to function properly. This can make you feel tired, unfocused, and moody. Over time, constantly missing breakfast can affect your memory and mental performance.

2. Not Getting Enough Sleep

Sleep is your brain’s time to recharge. It processes information, forms memories, and clears out waste products. When you sleep less than the recommended 7–9 hours a night, your brain becomes foggy. Long-term sleep deprivation has been linked to poor concentration, slower thinking, depression, and even Alzheimer’s disease.

3. Too Much Screen Time

From scrolling on your phone to watching TV or working on a computer, screens are everywhere. While technology can be helpful, too much screen time can lead to digital overload. It reduces your attention span, affects your sleep, and limits real-life interactions. Excessive screen use also keeps your brain from engaging in activities that build creativity and critical thinking like reading, playing games, or having face-to-face conversations.

4. Lack of Physical Exercise

Believe it or not, your brain loves it when you move. Physical activity increases blood flow to the brain and boosts the production of chemicals that improve mood and memory. Sitting for long hours without exercising weakens these benefits. A sedentary lifestyle has been linked to a higher risk of cognitive decline and mental health issues like anxiety and depression.

5. Multitasking

Trying to do several things at once, like texting while eating, watching TV while working, or checking emails during conversations, may seem efficient, but it makes your brain less effective. Multitasking reduces your focus, lowers productivity, and makes it harder to remember information. Over time, it can lead to mental fatigue and stress.

The good news? These harmful habits can be changed. Start your day with a healthy breakfast, aim for 7–9 hours of quality sleep, move your body regularly, take breaks from screens, and give your full attention to one task at a time. These small changes can go a long way in keeping your brain sharp, focused, and healthy for years to come. After all, your brain works for you 24/7, it deserves better than burnout.