Sam Philip
Federal and state governments have been called upon to demonstrate financial commitment towards reducing the risk of diabetes and other non-communicable diseases.
The called was made by Corporate Accountability and Public Participation Africa (CAPPA).
In a statement signed by Robert Egbe, Media and Communication Officer, CAPPA, the not-for-profit organization, following last Thursday’s celebration of the World Diabetes Day, insisted that there’s need for an upward review of the country’s budgetary allocation to the health sector, as well as the N10/litre excise duty on sugar sweetened beverages – a known driver of diabetes.
Advising the federal and state authorities, CAPPA said they should use the occasion of World Diabetes Day to reflected on the country’s huge burden of NCDs, including about 11.2 million Nigerians living with diabetes.
CAPPA’s Executive Director, Akinbode Oluwafemi, said: “Nigeria is grappling with a significant burden of non-communicable diseases (NCDs), with 1 in 17 adults – roughly 11.2 million Nigerians – living with diabetes. This health crisis extends beyond the health sector, affecting the country’s social and economic environment.
“The rising prevalence of diabetes, compounded by unstable economic conditions and an unhealthy food environment, places more Nigerians at risk of severe hardship.
“According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), UNICEF and other leading international organisations, implementing effective policy measures like the SSB Tax and other forms of sin taxes, which reduce the desirability and accessibility of unhealthy diets, is essential for protecting public health.”
With this year’s World Diabetes Day themed ‘Breaking Barriers, Bridging Gaps,’ CAPPA tasked state authorities to demonstrate their commitment to reducing the risk of diabetes by implementing effective food policies that can guarantee Nigerians access to healthy diets.
The organisation also called on the government to channel revenue generated from the SSB tax towards improving healthcare infrastructure and subsidising costs of disease management in the country.