‘Why sugar scarcity is blessing in disguise’

MTWARA: EXPERTS and health stakeholders have suggested the importance of citizens adopting a no sugar consumption lifestyle in coping with current sugar shortage, while preventing Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs) in the country.

According to them, excessive consumption of sugar is not healthy and can culminate into NCDs, including diabetes and hypertension, which are threats to the community wellbeing.

For them, the ongoing sugar shortage should act as a natural breathing space for lowering sugar concentration in the body. Muhimbili National Hospital (MNH) Executive Director, Professor Mohammed Janabi recently commented that NCDs can be prevented by appropriate lifestyle.

“We must change our lifestyle; we can avoid NCDs. The good thing is all lessons which have been provided by experts on appropriate lifestyle are inexpensive. It is up to you to adhere to them,” Prof Janabi said.

Adding that “If you have been advised to have a single meal in a day, it means saving money which could otherwise be spent on excessive food intake. Furthermore, if we counsel you to minimise sugar intake, you take an advantage of dodging the sky rocketing price of sugar,” he said.

Reacting on the statement, Bugando Medical Centre’s Nutritionist, Ms Claudia Lugira said that people should at least consume one spoon of sugar per cup of tea.

However, Ms Lugira said excessive consumption of carbohydrates, including rice, maize and potatoes too can lead to NCDs, including diabetes. She said carbohydrates tend to produce glucose, which is similar to factory produced sugar. She called upon citizens to observe balanced diet.

On top of that, he emphasised on eating fruits and vegetable as well as physical activities among citizens. Dar es Salaam Regional Commissioner (RC), Albert Chalamila seconded Prof Janabi’s move of abandoning sugar consumption amid its scarcity caused by disrupted supply chain.

“At this time which there is scarcity of sugar, we should opt to abstain from consuming it and secure ourselves from NCDs,” Mr Chalamila said.

Founder and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Golden Youth Organisation (GYO), Dr Sanga Monali said sugar scarcity has indirect contribution to the prevention of NCDs, referring to the fact the increase of its price necessitates retailers to hike the price of products made using sugar, like cake and juice.

GYO is the platform for community health awareness in the Lake Zone battling emerging NCDs including diabetes.Dr Monali said the reduction in sugar consumption should go hand in hand with education pertaining to balanced diet intake.

He noted that maintaining the required sugar level is one of the challenges for peoples with diabetes, saying however it is possible whenever they consume less.

He urged citizens to carry out regular health screening so as to familiarise their health progress for earlier detection of symptoms and adopting appropriate lifestyle, including eating a balanced diet and physical exercise.

“Many citizens wait until it is too late for medical treatment, a situation that is harmful as it makes them incur high cost of treatment,” he said.

Ms Amanda Joseph, a resident of Ubungo, said that it is not necessary to use sugar in tea, and if necessary, it should be used very little as advised by medical specialists.

“Tea is all about taste which must not necessarily be sugar. I use spices to make tea and it always taste nice. Life can easily go on without sugar,” said Ms Joseph.

A Kinondoni resident, Swaumu Meshack said honey can effectively be used as an alternative to sugar.

“We have consulted several health experts who said using honey is healthier than industrial sugar … I have since switched my allegiance to honey,” said Swaumu.

The Tanzania Sugar Board (TSB) announced last month that a kilogramme of sugar should cost between 2,800/ and 3,200/- in retail shops.

A spot survey conducted by the ‘Daily News’ reveal that despite selling at high price, the commodity is barely available. In Mtwara Region, a kilo of sugar goes up to 6000/-.

Speaking during inspection in Mtwara town, the head of IT department from SBT, Mr Faustine Mgimwa said they discovered a curtail that hoard the commodity to create artificial shortage.

In Dar es Salaam Region, in some areas sugar is sold at indicative prices while in other places the commodity is sold above the price cap up to 4,600/-. Some of the areas surveyed included, Kijitonyama (4,200/-), Mbezi Lous (4,800/-) and Tabata 2,800/- to 3,500/-. In some areas of Kibaha District, Coast Region, sugar is sold at 5,000/-. In Mwanza City, the price is between 4,000/- to 4,500/- though availability remains scarce.

Last week, SBT Director General Professor Kenneth Bengesi told producers to use bulk procurement procedure to import the commodity. This move, he said, will bring relief to consumers.

“All sugar producers who have been permitted to import sugar must make sure they apply bulk procurement so that they can import enough,” he noted.

Steps taken by the government: In order to bring relief to the citizens, the government removed 18 per cent VAT as well as 35 per cent customs duty of all imported sugar.

Prime Minister Kassim Majaliwa told the National Assembly recently that the steps taken by the government include allowing importation of 100,000 tonnes of the sweetener and meeting with sugar factory owners to see how the commodity can be obtained when the rains stop.

“It is true that the country is facing a shortage of sugar, and this has been caused by the ongoing heavy rains which have made it difficult for sugar factories to harvest sugarcane, the main raw material from the farms, thus affecting the production,” Majaliwa said.

Mr Majaliwa said the government, through the Ministry of Agriculture has been taking various measures to address the deficit and the situation will soon stabilise, so that people can continue getting access to the commodity