In Nigeria, diabetes victims are urging the Federal Government to implement a comprehensive tax on sugary drinks to address escalating health care costs.
Bernard Enyia, Vice President of the Diabetes Association of Nigeria, emphasized the urgent need for a higher Sugar-Sweetened Beverages (SSB) tax as a measure to improve national health and economic stability.
Enyia, who is also a co-chair of the National Action for Sugar Reduction (NASR) coalition, spoke about the severe challenges faced by people with diabetes in Nigeria. “Life is not worth living when you are living with diabetes,” he said. “A robust SSB tax policy could generate the necessary revenue to fund diabetes care and save lives.”
The World Health Organization (WHO) links excessive sugary drink consumption to an increased risk of type 2 diabetes and other health issues. In Nigeria, with 11.2 million people suffering from diabetes, sugary drinks are a significant health concern. The country ranks among the highest consumers of these beverages, selling 38.6 million litres annually in a market valued at $16.87 billion in 2023.
Despite the introduction of a N10 per litre tax on sugary drinks in 2021, advocates like Enyia argue that this measure is insufficient. He believes that raising the tax to 30% and adjusting it for inflation would better reduce sugary drink consumption and generate funds for diabetes care. “The current tax rate is too low to make a significant impact,” Enyia said. “We need a more effective policy to address the growing diabetes crisis.”
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Enyia, who was diagnosed with diabetes in 2008, shared how the condition has drastically affected his life. “I lost my job as a health worker in 2017 because of frequent hospital visits and financial strain,” he explained. “Currently, I spend over N180,000 a month on insulin and other medical expenses, up from N70,000 before.”
He described how the rising cost of diabetes care forces people to make difficult choices. “Without regular insulin treatments, my condition would worsen,” he said. “Sometimes I have to choose between buying food and paying for medication. Some people have turned to traditional herbal remedies or ration their insulin doses, risking severe health consequences.”
Enyia also pointed out that diabetes care can push families from middle-class stability into poverty. “Diabetes affects every part of your life and can lead to severe complications like heart attacks, stroke, kidney failure, blindness, and amputations if not managed properly,” he warned.
He praised the government’s introduction of the sugary drinks tax but called for more aggressive measures. “While the tax is a step in the right direction, it falls short of global standards,” Enyia said. “An effective pro-health tax should be high enough to deter consumption and provide substantial revenue for diabetes treatment.”
Enyia’s personal experience underscores the broader issue of diabetes management in Nigeria. He shared that transportation issues often force him to miss doctor’s appointments and that he sometimes skips insulin doses due to financial constraints. “Diabetes is a disease that affects every organ in the body,” he said. “It can be incredibly challenging and expensive to manage.”
The NASR coalition, which Enyia co-chairs, advocates for a more comprehensive approach to tackling the diabetes epidemic through effective legislation. Enyia argues that a significant increase in the SSB tax rate, along with inflation adjustments and a dedicated fund for diabetes care, is crucial for improving the lives of Nigerians affected by this chronic illness.
The Federal Government’s response to these calls will be closely watched, as Enyia and other advocates hope that stronger measures will be introduced to protect public health and provide better support for diabetes patients.
In conclusion, Enyia’s plea for a higher SSB tax reflects a growing concern among diabetes advocates in Nigeria. With the current tax rate proving ineffective, the proposed increase to 30% is seen as a necessary step to both reduce the consumption of sugary drinks and generate revenue for essential diabetes care services.