Non-communicable diseases (NCDs) are a leading cause of death globally. More than 41 million people die due to NCDs each year. Most of these premature deaths occur in low- and middle-income countries. NCDs are on the rise in Africa. NCDs are preventable and share common risk factors such as tobacco smoking, alcohol consumption, unhealthy diets, and lack of physical activity. Consumption, of unhealthy diets high in Sugar have been linked to obesity and NCDs. Taxation of sugar sweetened beverages (SSBs) is recommended to reduce consumption of sugar.
On the 29th of October the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare in Nigeria and Corporate Accountability and Public Participation (CAPPA) Africa held a National Conference on SSB tax and health financing in Nigeria.
At the conference, Dr Evelyn Thsehla from PRICELESS – SA was a keynote speaker and presented on "NCDs in Africa, Innovative Health Financing and the Quest for Effective SSB Tax". Dr Thsehla’s presentation highlighted the rising burden of NCDs in Africa and the increasing consumption of unhealthy food products which have been linked to obesity and NCDs. In Africa alone, the economic impact of obesity is projected to reach $50 billion per year by 2035. Dr Thsehla’s presentation further highlighted the need for government to implement SSB taxes that are effective and to reinvest the tax revenue in healthcare programmes.
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At the conference, South Africa was lauded for being a leading example for implementation of the SSB tax in the continent. Currently, over 50 countries have implemented the SSB tax globally.
The meeting was attended by stakeholders from various government departments as well as representatives from the Global Health Advocacy Incubator (GHAI) and the World Health Organization (WHO).