“I had to watch my mother die of diabetes” – PM defends recent decisions on salt and sugar SNO - Friday, May 16th, Prime Minister Dr. Kenny D. Anthony has responded to concerns that the removal of the subsidy on sugar as well as placing Value Added Tax (VAT) on salt will “kill the poor”. Prime Minister Dr. Kenny Anthony had announced that 15 percent VAT will be applied to salt and a subsidy of 10 cents per pound on sugar will be removed, bringing the price of sugar to $1 per pound. Addressing Parliament, the prime minister says he holds a contrary view and believes it will lead to a change in behaviour that would rebound to the benefit of all Saint Lucians. He says: “I had to watch my mother die of diabetes and I know too that I am a candidate for the disease. At what point do we say to the people of Saint Lucia there are costs to the over-indulgence of sugar? We have the highest rate of diabetes per capita in the world. Many have said it is hereditary but historical information says it is not. In Africa, where our forefathers come from, the rate of diabetes and hypertension is way lower than ours. They suggest that slavery introduced some behaviours such as the consumption of salted meat and fish and excess sugar. Now is the time to target our behaviour.” He continued: “We must tell people sugar is bad. We must be honest with our people. Too many people are dying from diabetes and hypertension complications. It is unfortunate that this discussion comes when dealing with increases but this is the reality. So, it is okay to tell the people the government raise the price of sugar because too much sugar is bad. I give you permission to do so. When they grab the salt, if the VAT reminds them it causes life-changing diseases that is a good thing.” Earlier today, the member for Laborie/Augier noted: “The very same people who are complaining about the increase by ten cents in the price of sugar do not consume it in their tea. They are saying the poor will not be able to make tea, but they do not put sugar in their tea for health reasons.” Yesterday, Dr. Desmond Long, member for Anse La Raye/Canaries noted that the Government of Saint Lucia spends $1,447,634.00 annually on medication for diabetes and $610,930 for hypertension medication. He also revealed that the government bears a monthly cost of $132,000 to assist poor people with dialysis to treat kidney failure, a diabetes complication. “If we take preventative care seriously and educate people we can save millions that will go towards other expenses, ” Dr. Long said. Source: stlucianewsonline/i-had-to-watch-my-mother-die-of-diabetes-pm-defends-recent-decisions-on-salt-and-sugar/
Posted on: Tue, 20 May 2014 00:42:50 +0000
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