Question NW3603 to the Minister of Health

Reply:

1. Based on the figures below (revenue that National Treasury received from the Levy), it can be estimated to be about 2.2 %.

“In the revenue year 2021/22, the Health Promotion Levy (colloquially referred to as the sugar tax) contributed a total of R 2,259,832,000.00* in the revenue collections that were reported by the South African Revenue Service. The R 2,259,832,000.00* collected reflects R2, 182,323,000.00* in domestic levy and R77, 510,000.00* in an import levy. Overall the FY2021/22 collections represent a growth of 6.92% on the FY2020/21 collections of R2, 113,606,000.00 (R2, 046,177,000.00 domestic levy and R67, 429,000.00 in import levy). “

* All figures for FY2021/22 are preliminary pending auditing processes.

The following are the actual amounts that the Department received:

• R50m in 2018/19
• R40m in 2109/20
• R49 699m in 2020/21
• R53.5 in 2021/22
• R48 366 00 in 2022/23

2. (a) The Department spent the HPL as follows

• 2018/2019 :

• • Wellness Campaign to create awareness and screen for HIV, TB, Hypertension and Diabetes in all provinces (Cheka Impilo).

• • Events in provinces to raise awareness on Cancer and to introduce the provinces to the Breast and Cervical Cancer Strategy which was approved in 2017.

• 2019/2020:

• • Funds were spent on expanding the scope and coverage of Cancer Awareness Campaigns to all provinces.

• 2020/2021:

• • Spending on Campaigns was not possible due to Covid-19 restrictions. However, funds were directed toward public education and awareness programs on Covid-19.

• 2021/2022:

• • There was a continuation in the allocation of funds for public education programs on Covid-19.

• • Funds were spent on phase one of the National Dietary Intake Survey

• • SABC Side-by-Side Campaign on Child Health.

• • Planning for the National Non-Communicable Diseases Campaign

• 2022/2023:

• • The HPL is being used to fund Phase two of the National Dietary Intake Study (NDIS).
  • National Non-Communicable Diseases Campaign. Funds will be used for the purchases of screening devices, consumables and community health worker training material for the Campaign. The key objective is for CHWs to screen for hypertension and diabetes and link patients to care.
  • Launch of the National Strategic Plan for NCDs and the commemoration of the World No Tobacco Day

(b) Hundred percent (100%) of the HPL levy is spent for health promotion, awareness, disease/injury prevention and disease related research.

3. (a) Non-communicable diseases (hypertension, diabetes, cancer, mental health), communicable diseases (HIV, TB, Covid-19, water and vector borne diseases), Violence and Injury

(b)

• In 2021 PRICELESS reported evidence-based gains from the HPL, including

• • The national urban household purchases of taxable beverages by

volume fell by 51% (Kantar) with a 29 % decrease in sugar intake.

• • In a self-reported Langa survey of young adults ( 18- 39 y), on taxable

beverages showed a 37% reduction by volume and 31% decrease in sugar intake

• • In a Soweto Study of teenagers , young adults, and older adults, the frequency of Sugar Sweetened Beverages intake amongst heavy consumers fell from 10 beverages per week pre HPL to 4 beverages per week one year post HPL
• As at August 2022, the country achieved 94% of the target population knowing their HIV status as part of the 90-90-90 targets. The achievement can be attributed to the Wellness Campaign (Cheka Impilo) that influences health seeking behaviour, including condom distribution and treatment adherence.

• In 2022, the Department approved the National Strategic Plan for the Prevention and Control of Non-Communicable Diseases 2022 – 2027 (NSP NCDs) which adopts an integrated person centered approach and is inclusive of population level interventions. The NSP NCDs aims to promote wellness, reduce modifiable risk behaviour, enhance management and control of non-communicable diseases in particular hypertension and diabetes and empower communities, patients and their families.

• The 2022/23 Annual Performance Quarter 1 and Quarter 2 Reports confirm increased heath seeking behaviour as the total screened for diabetes for Q1 was 2 550 479 which increased to 6 242 487 in Q2 and Total screened for hypertension for Q1 was 2 654 572 which increased to 6 366 095.

4. (a) (i) The Department commenced the Dietary Intake survey in 2019 but it could not be completed due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

     (ii) The Department completed the Global Adult Tobacco Survey (GATS) in 2021.

(b) (i) The results of the Dietary Intake Survey will become available in June 2023.

(ii) The GATS results provide statistics on tobacco use, cessation, second hand smoke, economics and the role of other players in the environment including the media. This survey is available on the internet.

(c) Results from surveys (international and national) are used to inform strategies for combating burden of disease conditions.

.

END.