CPDI Appeals for Action on Rising Diseases in Balochistan

APP
Quetta: The Centre for Peace and Development Initiatives (CPDI) has issued an urgent appeal to key officials in the Balochistan provincial government, including the Chief Secretary and Secretary of Food, to address the escalating incidence of non-communicable diseases (NCDs) in Balochistan.
Recent health statistics indicate that NCDs, including cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, obesity, and hypertension, are responsible for approximately 60 percent of deaths in the country. These diseases not only lead to premature mortality but also contribute significantly to disabilities and unhealthy life years, resulting in substantial financial losses and a decrease in overall life expectancy.
In a letter to the government officials, CPDI, a non-partisan civil society organization, has called for concrete measures to tackle the rising prevalence of NCDs. The organization highlights three major dietary risk factors: the excessive use of unhealthy oils and fats, added sugar in foods and drinks, and high sodium content in food items. CPDI urges the Balochistan government to implement effective measures, such as banning unhealthy food and beverages from public procurements, official meetings, and functions.
CPDI emphasizes the urgent need for proactive official policies and regulations to mitigate dietary risk factors and improve public health. The letter underscores the adverse impact of unregulated consumption of food containing harmful ingredients like sugar, sodium, and trans-fatty acids (TFAs) in fats, leading to an increase in diabetes and cardiovascular diseases in Pakistan.
The CPDI has specifically called on the provincial government to engage with the Pakistan Standards and Quality Control Authority (PSQCA) to expedite the formulation of mandatory and enforceable standards for all food items. For instance, the CPDI suggests that the quantity of TFAs should not exceed 2 percent.
Additionally, the organization recommends restricting the availability of unhealthy food in schools, hospitals, and public parks, eliminating government subsidies on harmful products like sugars and banaspati ghee, and implementing public awareness campaigns to educate consumers about dietary risk factors.
Mukhtar Ahmad Ali, Executive Director of CPDI, expresses hope that these measures will effectively address the NCD-related public health crisis in the country. He underscores the importance of taking serious measures to control dietary risk factors to prevent a collapse of the healthcare system and ensure the provision of quality healthcare services to the population. Medical research indicates that the national burden of diseases, deaths, and disabilities in Pakistan is evolving, necessitating urgent action to safeguard public health.
Ali also suggests government subsidies for healthy foods as a means to enhance the health status of citizens and contribute to a more mentally and physically active population, ultimately benefiting the country’s GDP.