Peshawar ( Ghaznavi News )
Sugary drinks are one of the major causes of heart and many other fatal diseases. Every section of society, media shall raise their voices to reduce the consumption of these unhealthy drinks. Pakistan ranks third in the world with more than 33 million people living with diabetes. This was said in a media session organized by PANAH at a local hotel in Peshawar. Iqbal Zaffar Jhagra, former Governor KPK was the chief guest. Among the guests were Barrister Syed Feroz Jamal Shah, information minister of KPK, Prof. Dr. Ehsanullah Khan,DHO Peshawar, Professor Dr. Umar Zaffar Jhagra, Amja Yousafzai, journalist, Technical Director KPK food authority Dr. Abdul Sattat, Nasir Hussain from Khyber union of journalist, chief municipal officer Peshawar, Sahraq Riaz, Dr. Huda, eye specialist, representatives from electronic and print media and civil society representatives. Mr. Sanaullah Ghumman, secretary general PANAH was the host. He welcomed the participants and shared the objectives of the session.
Iqbal Zaffar Jhagra said that PANAH is working for a noble cause. We as a nation shall reconsider its priorities and opt the healthy eating habits. We stand with PANAH for its efforts of healthy Pakistan.
Barrster Feroz Shah Kakakhel said that Govt. of Pakistan will consider all possible steps to reduce the diseases burden caused by sugary drinks. Increasing tax on sugary drinks is effective policy steps.
Umar Zaffar Jhagra said that According to the World Health Organization, consumption of added sugars should be less than 10% of total calories. Excessive consumption of these sugary drinks poses serious risks to the health of children and adults in particular. Consumption of sugary drinks is among the main reasons for the increased obesity, diabetes, heart disease and other diseases in Pakistan. Because of such unhealthy eating habits, today Pakistan ranks third highest in diabetes in the world.
Munawar Hussain, Consultant, Global Health Advocacy Incubator, said that number of countries have taken several effective measures to reduce the consumption of sugary drinks. Among these measures increasing tax on sugary drinks is an evidence based policy action, which reduce disease and help generating revenue for government. The evidence shows that the countries that implemented higher taxes on the sugary drinks, have not only reduced the burden of disease but also increased the revenue for the government. He said while referring a modelling study done by World Bank in Pakistan in 2022, that increasing 50% FED on all type of sugary drinks can make an economic value of health impact of nearly 9 million USD annually. Similarly, government can generate 810 million US dollars of average tax revenue annually for next 10 years. He said that clean drinking water and unsweetened milk should be excluded from the tax.
Mr. Abdul Sattar said that KPK food authority has already passed the regulations to ban SSBs in schools vicinity but we need to do more to reduce the disease burden.
Shah Junaid said that people shall reduce the consumption of these unhealthy drinks and go for healthier alternatives.
Dr. Huda said that people who are diabetic has more chances of having eye diseases and blindness.
Amjad Yousafzai said that Panah is working for a good cause and we stand with Panah and the media will continue to play its role to make Pakistan healthy by joining PANAH’s voice.
Sanaullah Ghumman said that Pakistan National Heart Association has been educating people about heart and related diseases for the past 40 years and the causes that lead to these diseases. Panah is also working with the government to make laws to prevent them so as to give a healthy life to our countrymen and especially children because a healthy nation is the guarantee of a country’s strength. He thanked the media and civil society for raising voice with PANAH for this noble cause.