The Stigma and Discrimination of Diabetes in Nigerian Workplaces
Medical experts and diabetes advocates have raised concerns about the stigma and discrimination faced by Nigerians living with diabetes in the workplace. They highlighted that many individuals lose their jobs due to the condition, largely because there is no legal protection in place to safeguard them.
During a World Diabetes Day webinar organized by the Nigerian Society of Endocrinology and Metabolism, the topic of “Diabetes and Wellbeing: Diabetes and the Workplace” was discussed. Experts emphasized that Nigeria lacks specific laws that protect workers with diabetes. In contrast, countries like the United Kingdom and Northern Ireland have anti-discrimination laws such as the Equality Act 2010 and the Disability Discrimination Act 1995, which offer legal protections for individuals with disabilities, including those with diabetes.
The speakers pointed out that a lack of awareness about diabetes in workplaces contributes to stigmatization. This often forces workers to conceal their condition, leading to worsened health outcomes. To address this, they recommended promoting awareness through education, implementing legal frameworks, training employers and healthcare workers, and ensuring proper counseling at diagnosis.
Challenges Faced by Diabetics in the Workplace
A Professor of Medicine and Endocrinology at the University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital, Chioma Unachukwu, explained that diabetes is a chronic and progressive disease that negatively affects wellbeing and quality of life. She warned that poorly controlled diabetes can impact productivity at work through fatigue, poor concentration, and absenteeism due to medical appointments.
Unachukwu also highlighted that Nigeria has the highest incidence of diabetes in sub-Saharan Africa, yet there are no legal rules guiding the protection of diabetics in the workplace. She noted that the National Health Insurance Scheme does not cover all aspects of diabetes care and that discussions are ongoing to integrate diabetes within Nigerian disability rules.
Impact on Workplace Productivity
Unachukwu outlined the impact of diabetes on workplace productivity, stating that poorly controlled diabetes can lead to reduced productivity, absenteeism, and safety concerns, especially for jobs involving heavy machinery or driving. She advised employees with diabetes to communicate with their employers about their condition and the need for accommodations, such as flexible schedules and private spaces for blood glucose testing.
For employers, she suggested making reasonable accommodations, creating a supportive environment, offering healthy food options, and educating staff about diabetes. She also recommended establishing emergency plans with staff trained in basic safety procedures.
Advocacy and Awareness
Osarenkhoe Ethel Chima-Nwogwugwu, an IDF Blue Circle Voices member and international diabetes advocate, described the lack of awareness in the community as one of the biggest challenges for people living with diabetes in the workplace. She shared her personal experience of being stigmatized when injecting insulin at work.
Dr Zakiyya Sodiq, a Consultant Neuropsychiatrist, explained that stigma around diabetes often results from a lack of understanding. She emphasized that mental health issues, such as anxiety and depression, are common among people with diabetes due to self-stigma or fear of being stigmatized.
Legal and Institutional Frameworks
Dr Salisu Muazu, Chief Medical Director of Rasheed Shekoni Federal University Teaching Hospital, stressed the need for a strengthened legal and institutional framework in Nigeria to address workplace safety regarding diabetes. He noted that most institutions lack robust plans for educating staff about diabetes and that healthcare financing in Nigeria remains a challenge.
Prof Ejiofor Ugwu, National President of the Diabetes Association of Nigeria, recounted cases where diabetic individuals were discriminated against in the workplace. He emphasized the need to sponsor bills and connect with politicians to create legislation that protects diabetics in the workplace.
The Role of Counseling and Education
Nkiruka Okoro, a participant from Glasgow, Scotland, who has lived with type 1 diabetes for 37 years, emphasized the importance of proper counseling at the point of diagnosis. She advocated for a comprehensive approach to diabetes care, starting with education and counseling to reduce stigma.
In closing remarks, Prof Andrew Uloko, President of EMSOM, thanked the participants and stressed the importance of creating an inclusive workplace for diabetics.
