[et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ admin_label=”!!! PLEASE DO NOT EDIT !!!” _builder_version=”4.19.5″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_row admin_label=”!!! PLEASE DO NOT EDIT !!!” _builder_version=”4.19.5″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.19.5″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text admin_label=”TO BE EDITED – SUMMARY – Click on the WHEEL icon to open the textarea where you can paste or type your summary. The summary condenses the main points for the news that starts below. The summary is in bold and not longer than 300 characters, including spaces. The counter at the bottom can help.” _builder_version=”4.20.2″ _module_preset=”default” custom_padding=”||20px||false|false” hover_enabled=”0″ global_colors_info=”{}” sticky_enabled=”0″][\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text admin_label=”TO BE EDITED – TEXT OF THE NEWS – BLOCK 1 – Click on the WHEEL icon to open the textarea where you can paste or type your news. PLEASE USE ONLY THE FEATURED IMAGE FUNCTION on your right column to add the image.” _builder_version=”4.21.0″ _module_preset=”default” custom_padding=”||1em||false|false” hover_enabled=”0″ global_colors_info=”{}” sticky_enabled=”0″]<\/p>\n
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.<\/strong><\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text admin_label=”TO BE EDITED – TEXT OF THE NEWS – BLOCK 2 – Click on the WHEEL icon to open the textarea where you can paste or type your news. PLEASE USE ONLY THE FEATURED IMAGE FUNCTION on your right column to add the image.” _builder_version=”4.21.0″ _module_preset=”default” hover_enabled=”0″ global_colors_info=”{}” sticky_enabled=”0″]<\/p>\n The Nigerian government<\/a> is considering a new public health tax<\/strong> 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<\/a>, Minister of State for Health, at the 2nd International Conference on PEN-Plus in Africa<\/a>. The tax plan complements Nigeria\u2019s 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.<\/p>\n Dr Salako highlighted that NCDs are rapidly increasing<\/strong>, 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<\/a>, calling for investment in local health workers and stronger referral systems.<\/p>\n