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The Diabetes Association of Nigeria (DAN) has appealed to the federal government to revisit the suspended tax on sugary beverages and allocate the funds to support diabetes patients.
Fielding questions from reporters during a free pre-diabetes screening and awareness event organized by the association in collaboration with the Garfield Foundation for residents of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) in Abuja,
Dr Mansur Ramalan, a consultant physician, diabetologist, and 1st Vice President of DAN, revealed that approximately 14 million Nigerians are living with diabetes, necessitating government support due to the high cost of medications. Dr. Ramalan stated,
“We want the federal government to resume the tax on sugary beverages. This tax was enacted by the previous administration, but the deductions were halted in February of this year.
We want the government to not only reinstate this tax but also to use the revenue generated to benefit diabetes patients
”He emphasized, “Patients are struggling because these medications are extremely expensive.” Dr. Ramalan noted that about six percent of the Nigerian population has diabetes.
“If we project this percentage onto our total population of approximately 230 to 240 million people, it amounts to around 12 to 14 million affected individuals.”
Benard Enyia, co-chair of the National Action on Sugar Reduction Coalition and a Type 2 diabetes patient, also expressed his concern about the high cost of diabetes medications and called for government intervention.
