Health experts and other nutritionists have expressed concern that excessive use of oily, fatty, and sugar-rich products during Ramazan is causing obesity and other chronic diseases.
According to health experts, evidence suggests that high consumption of foods rich in oil and sugar and use of banaspati and ghee are associated with increased incidence of heart disease, diabetes, cancer and other types of chronic diseases.
To promote public health and overall well-being, public health experts are calling on the government to prioritize subsidizing healthy alternatives such as fruit, lentils and vegetables.
Munawar Hussain, Global Health Advocacy Incubator coordinator in the country, emphasized the need to refocus subsidies, saying that “while it is essential to ensure food availability, we must be mindful of the impact of these subsidies on public health and people’s health. food consumption behavior.”
By subsidizing unhealthy products, the public will continue to eat these unhealthy products without knowing the risks associated with them. For the public good, the government had an opportunity to create positive change and subsidize healthier food options rather than unhealthy products.
Mukhtar Ahmad, executive director of the Center for Peace and Development Initiatives, acknowledged the importance of the issue, saying: “It is essential to strike a balance between affordability and health. Government can play a key role by encouraging the consumption of nutritious food.” role in improving the nation’s overall health outcomes.”
He further added: “Food subsidies must be linked to the nutritional value and assessment of dietary risk factors of edible commodities.
Additionally, Afshar Iqbal, Director of Communications and Advocacy at Pakistan Youth Change Advocates, said: “The World Health Organization, in its obesity prevention framework, recommends removing subsidies on all types of fats/oils and sugar. Redirecting subsidies to items like lentils, fruits, vegetables and more nutritious options will align with the government’s commitment to the well-being of its citizens and contribute to a healthier and more resilient society.”
The request to reassess subsidies is in line with international initiatives aimed at addressing the growing number of non-communicable diseases linked to food in general, and industrially produced trans fats in particular.
Public health advocates hope the government will take these suggestions into account and prioritize national health when allocating subsidies.
