Dr. Fatoumata Maiga

Dr. Fatoumata Maiga is an endocrinologist at Hôpital National de Niamey — Niger's main national referral hospital. As one of a small number of endocrinologists in the country, she manages the rapidly growing burden of diabetes and thyroid disease in a Sahelian nation undergoing rapid nutritional and epidemiological transition.

Niger is experiencing a dramatic rise in type 2 diabetes driven by urbanisation, dietary change, and reduced physical activity, while the country simultaneously carries a heavy infectious disease burden. Managing diabetes in the context of co-existing tuberculosis, malaria, and malnutrition requires adapted clinical reasoning that Dr. Maiga has developed over 10 years of endocrine practice in Niamey.

Thyroid disease — including endemic goitre from iodine deficiency in inland regions, Hashimoto's thyroiditis, and Graves' disease — represents another major workload. She monitors thyroid function and manages both hypothyroidism and hyperthyroidism with available pharmacotherapy. She consults in French, Hausa, and Zarma, the three principal languages of her patient population.

Dr. Maiga completed her Docteur en Médecine at the Université Abdou Moumouni de Niamey and her DES (Diplôme d'Études Spécialisées) in Internal Medicine/Endocrinology through postgraduate training supported by regional partnerships with francophone African medical faculties in Dakar (Senegal) and Abidjan (Côte d'Ivoire). She has participated in Société Africaine d'Endocrinologie et Diabétologie (SAED) training workshops and WHO-supported diabetes management capacity-building programmes in West Africa.

Dr. Maiga's endocrine practice covers diabetes and thyroid disease as primary workloads. In diabetes management, she initiates and titrates insulin therapy for type 1 and insulin-requiring type 2 diabetes, manages oral hypoglycaemic agents (metformin, sulfonylureas, glinides) available within Niger's health system, monitors HbA1c, and screens and manages diabetic complications including nephropathy, retinopathy, and neuropathy. Her diabetic foot programme identifies and manages neuropathic and vascular foot disease.

For thyroid disease, she interprets thyroid function tests and thyroid ultrasound findings, manages hypothyroidism with levothyroxine, and treats hyperthyroidism with carbimazole or propylthiouracil. She manages endemic goitre with iodine supplementation advocacy and referral for surgical intervention where indicated. She is also the referral endocrinologist for adrenal insufficiency and other complex endocrine conditions in Niger.

Dr. Maiga's practice primarily serves Niger's domestic population. International humanitarian workers and NGO staff with diabetes or thyroid conditions requiring endocrinology consultation in Niamey can access care through Hôpital National. She consults in French and is the key reference endocrinologist for the capital's international organisations. For conditions requiring specialist investigations beyond Niger's capacity, she facilitates referrals to Abidjan or Dakar.

Dr. Maiga is a member of the Conseil de l'Ordre des Médecins du Niger and the Société Africaine d'Endocrinologie et Diabétologie. She has been recognised within Hôpital National de Niamey for her contributions to diabetes management and her role as a clinical mentor for internal medicine trainees. She participates in WHO-supported NCD prevention and diabetes care capacity development activities in Niger.