SSB tax revenue should fund primary healthcare, screening — Senate

The Chairman of the Senate Committee on Health, Senator Ipalibo Banigo, urged the Federal Government to channel revenue from the proposed Sugar-Sweetened Beverages (SSB) Tax to primary healthcare and screening programs, especially to combat non-communicable diseases. Banigo received representatives of over 80 civil society and professional groups advocating for the bill. She insisted that the funds must be ring-fenced for health promotion, preventive care, and cancer screening, rather than merged with general revenue. The senator emphasized that prevention is cheaper than cure, and the bill would impose levies on sugary drinks.