The founder of Gift Lupus Foundation (GLF), Dr Nguumbur Lovette Ikongo, was at Sahad Hospital in Abuja on Saturday to mark the International Day for Lupus with a patient in critical condition.
During the visit, she appealed to the government at all levels to support people living with lupus conditions, saying “My concern and passion for patients living with lupus started several years ago when I lost a sister to the condition.”
The World Lupus Day is celebrated on the 10th of May each year to draw global attention to patients living with the disease.
Lupus, also known as Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE), is a chronic autoimmune disease that causes the body’s immune system to attack its own healthy tissues and organs.
It affects the skin, joints, kidneys, heart, lungs, and brain, often leading to life-threatening complications.
In Nigeria, many patients suffer in silence due to misdiagnosis, inadequate access to care, and the high cost of treatment.
In her message, the Founder also called on the Nigerian Government to accelerate action on Lupus as a gender-based health issue, as it primarily affects women between the ages of 18 and 45. Addressing this reality is essential to promoting inclusive, equitable healthcare for all.
She said, “We must also intensify conversations about women’s health, particularly in host communities of extractive industries, where those living with Lupus are even more vulnerable and often left without the support or care they need.
‘We kindly appeal to the Nigerian Government and relevant stakeholders to consider key actions that can help ease the burden of Lupus and improve the quality of life for those affected across the country:
“Explore ways to subsidize or make essential Lupus medications freely available in public healthcare facilities.
‘Support awareness initiatives and educational campaigns that reach citizens at the grassroots level, making Lupus more visible and better understood.
‘Encourage the integration of Lupus-specific training into the continuous education of medical professionals.
“Enhance the capacity of healthcare facilities, particularly in underserved areas, by providing necessary equipment such as dialysis machines and other critical resources.
“Invest in national-level research and data collection, to build a clearer picture of the Lupus landscape in Nigeria and support evidence-based decision-making.
“Prioritise Lupus as a gender-sensitive health issue, particularly in policy design, funding, and healthcare delivery systems.
In recognition of World Lupus Day 2025, the Gift Lupus Foundation also (GLF) called on all Nigerians — individuals, communities, medical institutions, and the federal and sub-national governments — to join in raising awareness and standing in solidarity with Lupus warriors and their families across the country.
“For too long, Lupus has remained hidden in the shadows — misunderstood and overlooked. But behind every diagnosis is a story of strength, survival, and resilience,” it said in a statement
“At GLF, we stand with these warriors — not as victims, but as courageous survivors who deserve to live with dignity and hope.”
Since its founding in 2020, Gift Lupus Foundation has worked to build a national register of Lupus warriors, support patients morally and financially, and amplify awareness through community education and media campaigns.
The Foundation has also begun work toward conducting a national baseline survey to gather data crucial to understanding the true scope of the disease in Nigeria.
The statement added, “Awareness without action is not enough. Many warriors cannot afford the medications that keep them alive. Others are misdiagnosed or go untreated due to gaps in the healthcare system.
“Let this World Lupus Day be more than a date on the calendar,” the Foundation urged. “Let it be a turning point. Together, we can shine a light, give hope, and fight Lupus.”
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