Nigeria proposes a public health tax on sugar, alcohol, and tobacco to fund non-communicable disease (NCD) programmes, alongside the WHO-backed PEN-Plus strategy for severe NCD care.
The Nigerian government is considering a new public health tax on products high in sugar, alcohol, and tobacco, with proceeds dedicated to controlling non-communicable diseases (NCDs). The initiative aims to reduce premature deaths from NCDs by 33% by 2030, said Dr Adekunle Salako, Minister of State for Health, at the 2nd International Conference on PEN-Plus in Africa. The tax plan complements Nigeria’s efforts with the World Health Organization (WHO) to pilot the PEN-Plus strategy, which improves access to care for severe NCDs like Type 1 diabetes, sickle cell disease, and rheumatic heart disease.
Dr Salako highlighted that NCDs are rapidly increasing, severely impacting socio-economic development. The PEN-Plus approach ensures that primary health care centres can provide essential services, reducing burdens on higher-level facilities. WHO officials stressed the importance of scaling up the strategy across Africa, calling for investment in local health workers and stronger referral systems.
With Nigeria hosting the conference, the government, WHO, and partners like the Leona M. and Harry B. Hemsley Charitable Trust reaffirmed their commitment to expanding quality, affordable care for NCDs in the region.
