National Guideline on the Prevention, Control and Management of Diabetes Mellitus

Guidelines offer protocols for preventing, diagnosing, and managing diabetes mellitus across Nigeria's health levels. They target healthcare workers, public health planners, and individuals at risk of diabetes. This seeks to lower the disease burden through uniform screening and treatment standards.

What Is This Policy?

A clinical and public health guideline that provides standardized protocols for preventing, diagnosing, and managing diabetes mellitus across all tiers of the Nigerian health system.

Who Does It Target?

Healthcare workers at primary, secondary, and tertiary facilities Public health planners and programme managers Persons living with or at risk of diabetes mellitus

What Does It Aim to Achieve?

Reduce the burden of diabetes in Nigeria by establishing uniform screening, treatment, and prevention standards that can be applied at every level of care.

Key Features

Screening Protocols: Standardized risk assessment and early detection guidelines for Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes Treatment Algorithms: Step-by-step management pathways including lifestyle modification, oral medications, and insulin therapy Complication Management: Guidance on preventing and treating diabetic retinopathy, nephropathy, neuropathy, and foot ulcers Community-Level Prevention: Health education strategies to promote physical activity, healthy eating, and weight management Monitoring and Follow-Up: Recommended schedules for blood glucose monitoring, HbA1c testing, and regular clinical reviews

Current Status

Rollout Stage: Active across federal and state health facilities Coverage: All tiers of the Nigerian health system, from primary health centres to teaching hospitals Lead Agency: Federal Ministry of Health, Non-Communicable Diseases Division Partners: WHO, Diabetes Association of Nigeria, state ministries of health

How to Access

The guideline is distributed through the Federal Ministry of Health and available to healthcare facilities on request. Contact the Non-Communicable Diseases Division of the Federal Ministry of Health Access through state health authorities and training workshops Available during clinical training programmes and continuing medical education sessions

Impact & Metrics

Nigeria has one of the highest diabetes burdens in Sub-Saharan Africa, with an estimated 3 to 4 million adults affected. This guideline supports the national goal of reducing diabetes-related complications and mortality through early detection and consistent clinical management.

Official Resources

Website: health.gov.ng Contact: Federal Ministry of Health, Non-Communicable Diseases Division, Abuja

Legal Framework

Operates under the National Health Act 2014, the Non-Communicable Diseases (NCD) Control Policy, and the Federal Ministry of Health diabetes management programme. Draws on the WHO Global Action Plan for the Prevention and Control of NCDs 2013-2020 and the International Diabetes Federation Clinical Practice Recommendations.