Question NW1200 to the Minister of Health
20 April 2023 - NW1200
Wilson, Ms ER to ask the Minister of Health
With reference to the reply by the Minister of Finance to question 2330 on 6 July 2022, what are the details of (a) the amount of the Health Promotion Levy that was allocated to his department, (b) the amount that has been spent on the various health programmes and (c)(i) each of the specified programmes, (ii) the amount that has been spent on each programme and (iii) strides that each of the programmes has made in improving health in the Republic
Reply:
a) The allocated amount was R48 366 000 in 2022/23
b) R24 437 000 was spent in 2022/23.
c) (i)&(ii) The programme named Chronic Diseases Disabilities & Geriatrics spent R24 437 million on health promotion activities which aim to promote wellness, reduce the common risk factors underlying the priority Non-Communicable Diseases as well as to screen for these NCDs and link persons to care.
(iii) The following strides are made:
- In 2021 PRICELESS reported evidence-based gains from the Health Promotion Levy (HPL), including
- The national urban household purchases of taxable beverages by volume fell by 51% (Kantar) with a 29 % decrease in sugar intake.
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- 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.
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- 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.
- 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 to Quarter 4 Reports confirm increased health seeking behaviour as the total screened for diabetes for Q1 was 2 550 479 which increased to 18 838 794 in Q4. Total screened for hypertension for Q1 was 2 654 572 which increased to 19 270 634 in Q4.
- The Health Promotion Levy was implemented in 2018. Strides in terms of health outcomes manifests in the long-term (at least 10 years), since long established behavioural practices that contribute to ill-health, takes time to reverse.
END.