The Endocrine and Metabolism Society of Nigeria has raised concerns over the shortage and uneven distribution of endocrinologists in the country, warning that the high cost of essential medicines, insulin and modern diabetes treatment technologies is further limiting access to care for patients.
The call was contained in a communiqué signed by EMSON President, Prof. Andrew E. Uloko; Secretary-General, Dr Oluwarotimi Olopade; and Publicity Secretary, Prof. Michael Olamoyegun, at the conclusion of the society’s 47th Annual General Meeting and Scientific Conference, held in Abuja from September 23 to 25, 2026.
Our correspondent obtained the communiqué on Wednesday.
The society called on the Federal Government, the National Health Insurance Authority and relevant regulatory agencies to address the challenges by expanding health insurance coverage for endocrine and metabolic conditions, improving access to diagnostic services and strengthening specialist training.
It also urged the government to introduce measures to make essential endocrine medicines, glucose-monitoring devices and newer therapies for diabetes and obesity more affordable and accessible to Nigerians.
The society observed that Nigeria was facing a growing burden of diabetes, obesity, hypertension, dyslipidaemia and other endocrine disorders, but access to diagnosis, medicines, medical technologies and long-term follow-up remained inadequate.
It stated, “Essential endocrine medicines, insulin, glucose monitoring tools, and newer diabetes and obesity therapies remain unaffordable or inaccessible for many Nigerians.”
The endocrinologists also identified the shortage of specialist personnel and the migration of skilled health professionals as major threats to the delivery of quality endocrine care.
According to the communiqué, “A critical shortage and uneven distribution of endocrinologists and allied professionals persist. Brain drain continues to weaken specialist capacity.”
To address the challenge, EMSON called for increased postgraduate training positions in endocrinology and metabolic medicine, as well as stronger mentorship, continuing professional development and retention strategies.
It further advocated the equitable distribution of specialist services across the country’s six geopolitical zones to reduce disparities in access to treatment.
The society urged the government to strengthen the integration of diabetes services into primary and secondary healthcare facilities, arguing that early detection and comprehensive management were necessary to reduce complications.
It resolved to promote integrated diabetes care covering blood sugar control, cardiovascular risk reduction and screening for complications.
On the rising burden of obesity and related metabolic conditions, EMSON called for the development of national prevention and management strategies, emphasising that lifestyle medicine should be prioritised in treating metabolic diseases.
The communiqué stated that the society would promote “lifestyle medicine as a core component of metabolic disease care” and encourage multidisciplinary approaches involving physicians, nutritionists, psychologists, physiotherapists and other professionals.
The society also raised concerns about endocrine and metabolic conditions affecting women, particularly Polyendocrine Metabolic Ovarian Syndrome, menopause and diabetes in pregnancy.
It called for improved awareness, screening and management of the conditions, as well as the inclusion of women’s endocrine health services in national health insurance coverage.
The communiqué stated, “Conditions such as Polyendocrine Metabolic Ovarian Syndrome, menopause, diabetes in pregnancy and other reproductive endocrine disorders require greater attention and integrated care.”
On paediatric endocrinology, the society observed that early detection, referral and management of endocrine disorders among children and adolescents remained inadequate.
It, therefore, advocated the establishment of national registries for congenital and rare endocrine conditions, alongside structured transition clinics for adolescents aged 13 to 15.
According to EMSON, the clinics would enable paediatric and adult endocrinologists to jointly review patients during the initial stages of their transition to adult care.
The society explained that the arrangement would ensure continuity of treatment, reduce loss to follow-up and improve long-term outcomes for young people living with endocrine and metabolic disorders.
It also identified limited local research evidence as another challenge affecting the management of endocrine conditions in Nigeria.
The endocrinologists called for increased funding for clinical, epidemiological and translational research, as well as stronger collaboration among Nigerian institutions and international partners.
The communiqué noted, “Nigeria needs stronger epidemiological, clinical and translational research, as well as multicentre collaborations to generate locally relevant evidence.”
The concerns come amid the growing burden of diabetes globally and in Africa.
The International Diabetes Federation’s 2025 Diabetes Atlas estimated that 2.99 million adults aged 20 to 79 were living with diabetes in Nigeria in 2024, with an estimated 78.7 per cent of cases undiagnosed.
The IDF also estimated that the number of adults living with diabetes in Nigeria could rise to 6.6 million by 2050 if current trends persist.
The EMSON conference was held under the theme, Endocrine Practice in Nigeria: Improving Patient Care and Outcomes Through Advocacy, and 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 Professor Anas Sabir, former Chief Medical Director of Usmanu Danfodiyo University Teaching Hospital, Sokoto.
The scientific programme featured 56 research papers presented through oral presentations and moderated poster sessions, alongside symposia, workshops and interactive discussions.
At the annual general meeting, the society elected Professor Andrew E. Uloko as its president for the 2026–2028 tenure.
Other elected officers include Dr Olubiyi Adesina, first vice-president; Professor Christian I. Okafor, second vice-president; Dr Ibitrokoemi F. Korubo, third vice-president; and Dr Oluwarotimi Olopade, secretary-general.
The society announced that its 48th Annual General Meeting and Scientific Conference would be held in Enugu State in September 2027.
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