Gov’t tasked To Implement Effective Tax System on Tobacco & Sweetened Beverages
Ghana Non-Communicable Disease Alliance (GhNCDA), and the Private Health Sector of Ghana have called on Government to implement an effective and efficient taxation system on unhealthy commodities like tobacco, alcohol, and sugar-sweetened beverages as they are the main Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs) risk factors.
These taxes, according to the two pro-health-inspired organizations had proven to reduce consumption while generating revenue for the government to finance Non-Communicable Disease related healthcare.
In a communique issued at the end 5th National High-level Meeting on Non-Communicable Diseases held in Accra, it said, the inclusion of essential NCD prevention and care services across the continuum of care and life course would inure to the benefit of Ghanaians.
Expansion of delivery of primary health care to include NCDs as a cornerstone of the sustained people-centered, community -based and integrated health system according to the communique are the foundation for achieving universal health coverage.
It said the implementation of universal health coverage reforms and policies that address the growing burden of multi-morbidities and considers the practical needs of persons living with more than one chronic condition.
It acknowledges the efforts of the Government in health financing. The communique added the two pro-health-inspired organizations are requesting an increase in Government revenue allocation to healthcare, specifically in NCD services at the primary healthcare facilities.
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It recommended that National Health Insurance Authority include the full cost of NCDs medicines and diagnostic services on its existing part-paid benefit package.
The communique recommended that the private sector be consciously integrated into the national health systems to generate and tap into a larger pool of expertise and innovation to advance universal health coverage in Ghana.
Per the recommendation contained in the communique, it said, they must be a paradigm shift in the national health agenda from being curative-oriented towards preventative in nature.
Source: Adovor Nutifafa/capitalnewsonline.com
dovor100@gmail.com
