ISLAMABAD: Health experts, while stressing the need for massively taxing sugary drinks and other such beverages, have said that 33 million Pakistanis are diabetic which figure in the next 20 years will reach 62 million and is annually costing Pakistan $2.64 billion on the treatment of sugary drinks-related diseases.
Speaking at an event titled “Interactive dialogue with parliamentarians - sugary drinks - a threat to public health and economy” organised by the Pakistan National Heart Association (PANHA) here on Tuesday, they said that it was high time to heavily tax all kinds of beverages as they are not essential daily use items.
They further said that sugary drinks in Pakistan were causing 400,000 deaths annually which is higher than smoking. Pakistan at present is ranking third globally on diabetic and top-ranked on account of spreading sugar-related health issues.
They said that obesity and non-communicable diseases especially diabetes and heart diseases are increasing at an alarming rate in Pakistan to deal with the situation, immediate policy measures including increasing taxes on sugary drinks to prevent further losses are inevitable.
They stressed the need for creating mass awareness on the matter so that preventive measures can be taken as the Pakistani state was not in a position to provide resources for the treatment of sugary drinks-related diseases.
Speaking on the occasion, parliamentary secretary on Ministry of National Health Services and Regulations Dr Shazia Aslam Soomro said that sugary drinks are a real threat to public health and the national economy. She assured the participants of raising the issue in the parliament, so that effective measures could be taken to deal with the serious challenges, adding that a delay in taxes on sugary drinks may cause an irreparable loss.
The Parliamentary Secretary on the Ministry of National Health Services said that world diabetes day is reminding us facts about the rapid spread of the diseases in Pakistan. Her ministry will take all possible measures to prevent diabetes. The import of the raw materials or drugs for diabetes is already a challenge for our economy. Taxing sugary drinks should be a priority strategy for the Ministry of Finance and she will send her recommendations to the Finance Minister soon.
The dialogue was attended by parliamentarians, health professionals, civil society, and the media. The guests included MNA Dr Nisar Cheema, MNA Dr Samina Matloob, Dr Saba Amjad, CEO heartfile, Munawar Hussain, Consultant Food Policy Program at Global Health Advocacy Incubator, civil society representatives, health professionals, and journalists.
While speaking to the event, Munawar Hussain, consultant Food Policy Program at Global Health Advocacy Incubator, said “Pakistan has the 3rd highest burden of diabetes worldwide with 33 million people living with the disease.In addition, Pakistan is unfortunately the world number 1 country with fastest growth of diabetes over the last one decade. If no immediate policy measures are taken, the number of people living with diabetes will increase to 62 million in Pakistan by 2045.” He further added “the cost of diabetes management in 2021 reached to USD 2,640 million in Pakistan which has serious consequence on the economy. Increased consumption of sugary drinks is among the major contributors to rapid spread of diabetes. The research proved that increasing tax on sugary drinks is an evidence-based strategy to reduce their consumption, obesity and diabetes.
Dr Nisar Cheema said that one of the major causes of the recent alarming increase in NCDs in Pakistan is our unhealthy food choices. If the government does not take effective policy actions immediately like imposing heavy taxes on SSBs to reduce their consumption then we will have a severe challenge to our public health.
MNA Dr Samina Matloob said that she as a doctor understands that SSBs are a threat to public health. She will be raising her voice in the assembly for the implementation of higher taxes on these drinks. We are facing a shortfall of revenue, especially, for the people affected in the recent floods. We agree that we shall impose taxes on SSBs and help the affected people.
PANAH’s General Secretary Sanaullah Ghumman said that high consumption of sugary drinks is an increasing threat to our entire health system. Citing a study conducted by the Pakistan Institute of Development Economics (PIDE), he said that an estimated Rs428 billion as the cost of obesity in 2015. Similarly, as per International Diabetes Federation, the annual cost of managing diabetes in Pakistan has been increased to $2.64 billion in 2021. He added that the IMF, the FBR, and the Ministry of Finance should consider the increasing tax on sugary drinks on a priority as this could help save lives and generate revenue for Pakistan.
Copyright Business Recorder, 2022
Comments
Comments are closed.