Sugar tax: Govt’s boldness is saving lives

BEFORE the advent of the Second Republic, the inertia in embarking on large-scale transformative projects and initiatives had become more than apparent, as sanctions from the United States, the United Kingdom and the European Union took their toll.

However, over the past five years, the Government has had to be ingenious and bold to stabilise and grow the economy in order to generate the resources needed to achieve the targeted goal of establishing a modern, prosperous and highly industrialised state by 2030, where people enjoy high standards of living.

Broad reforms by President Mnangagwa’s administration are the ones that have managed to reposition the economy and allowed the Government, through using internally generated resources, to implement an ambitious development programme unlike any other witnessed in independent Zimbabwe.

Though daunting, the progress made thus far, particularly in the health sector, is now noticeable. In addition to sizeable allocations from the Budget, the private sector has also weighed in, with British company NMS Infrastructure Limited partnering the Government in a US$200 million deal to build 30 ultra-modern health centres across the country.

This week, we carry a story where the Government has managed to raise US$8 million during the first six months of the year through the newly introduced sugar tax.

We have since learnt that the money will be channelled towards the purchase cancer treatment equipment and drugs.

By investing in crucial medical equipment, the Government is not only addressing the pressing needs of cancer care, but also ensuring that patients have access to essential diagnosis and treatment options like chemotherapy. This initiative reflects a proactive approach to healthcare and demonstrates the Government’s commitment to the well-being of Zimbabweans.

Cancer is a major cause of morbidity and mortality in Zimbabwe, with over 7 500 new cases and 2 500 deaths being recorded per year. Earmarking and ring-fencing these funds for cancer treatment equipment and drugs is, therefore, a positive step that will go a long way in helping Zimbabwe achieve the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 3 on good health and well-being.

It will realise the goal by ensuring healthy lives and promoting well-being for all at all ages. The beauty of this latest intervention is that it generates resources to meet critical healthcare needs and at the same time drastically reduces sugar consumption, which is linked to some non-communicable diseases.

But the Government has not been sitting on its laurels. Last year, before the introduction of the sugar tax, it purchased a set of new advanced radiotherapy machines worth US$2,4 million for Parirenyatwa Group of Hospitals and Mpilo Central Hospital — the two biggest public hospitals that offer cancer treatment. Treasury also released US$2,3 million to fund the repair of five radiotherapy machines — three at Parirenyatwa and two at Mpilo.

These were just the first wins.

Despite the initial pushback from beverage manufacturers and some sections of society when the sugar levy was announced through the 2024 National Budget, the implementation of the tax on sugary drinks has led to several noteworthy outcomes, which we celebrate today.

This is a sign of boldness.

As the Government proceeds with this initiative, it will be crucial to monitor the allocation and impact of these resources on cancer care in all public hospitals.

With the revenue generated from the tax directed to healthcare funding, it should also support various initiatives such as public health campaigns, nutrition education and programmes targeting obesity and cancer prevention.

By providing resources for these initiatives, proceeds from the sugar tax will also address the broader public health concerns linked to sugary drink consumption.

Furthermore, it is comforting to note that several beverage firms have responded to the new sugar tax by reformulating their drinks, lowering the sugar content or broadening their offerings to include healthier alternatives.

While this adjustment helps them comply with the sugar levy, it also reflects evolving consumer tastes for healthier beverages.

Over time, this multifaceted approach may lead to long-term improvements in other public health outcomes.

As the Government continues to apply its sugar tax policy to improve public health outcomes, it would be useful to continue consulting with public health specialists, dietitians, businesses and community members. This collaborative approach can provide valuable insights and recommendations to reassess the current sugar tax strategy and ensure it will continue to meet its goals for cancer treatment equipment and drugs.

Continuously involving public health experts will ensure that the tax strategy aligns with the latest cancer research and evidence-based practices.

Continuous engagement with community stakeholders — including local businesses, health organisations and residents — will yield diverse perspectives on how the tax strategy has impacted different segments of the population. Their input can help in identifying potential barriers to compliance and acceptance, allowing for adjustments that promote equity and accessibility.

The Government should consider establishing a feedback loop with these experts and stakeholders. This will aid in the monitoring and evaluation of the tax strategy’s effectiveness.

This, too, can help inform necessary adjustments to ensure that the initiative continues to meet its public health goals.

Collaborating with these groups can also facilitate education efforts about the tax strategy, ensuring the public understands its purpose and benefits. Overall, the sugar tax will clearly help save lives in a way the Government intended it to do.