By Kashmir Khan Vida Qalandari
KABUL (Pajhwok): Chief physician at the Indira Gandhi Children鈥檚 Hospital and several other medical professionals have praised Pajhwok鈥檚 recent report titled 鈥淐hemical-laden snacks harm children鈥檚 health鈥, calling it an effective step in raising public awareness and urging action from relevant authorities to stop the sale of harmful food products targeting children.
Pajhwok Afghan News published the report on June 29, and it has since been praised by both doctors and parents for its informative content and timely message.
Doctors鈥 Reactions
Dr. Khyber Sahak, Chief Physician at Indira Gandhi Children鈥檚 Hospital in Kabul, said: 鈥淔irst of all, I thank Pajhwok Afghan News for producing this report. It allows us to educate mothers and sisters about the harmful products being sold in markets. These snacks are causing children to suffer from various illnesses.鈥
He emphasized the role of parents in preventing their children from consuming such items and encouraged preparing healthy, quality food at home instead.
Dr. Ramesh Qadeer, General Surgeon at the Children鈥檚 Health Hospital, noted:
鈥淚 read the entire report, and it thoroughly covers all aspects of the issue. The positive impact of such reporting is considerable鈥攁nyone who reads or watches it will certainly try to stop their children from consuming these harmful products.鈥
Dr. Sayed Farid Shah Rafiyee, Internal Medicine Specialist at Wazir Mohammad Akbar Khan Hospital, stated: 鈥淧ajhwok鈥檚 report on the use of chemical colors in children鈥檚 food is a critical warning for the health of future generations. These additives can cause digestive problems, allergic reactions, cognitive issues like poor concentration and memory, and even serious long-term risks such as cancer.鈥
He added that such reports not only raise public awareness but also pressure responsible institutions to take regulatory action and prompt legal reforms to control unhealthy products.
鈥淚 recommend closer collaboration between health professionals and the media to pursue and strengthen such initiatives, leading to real and positive change,鈥 he concluded.
Dr. Faridullah Omari, Trainer and Infectious Disease Specialist at the National Infectious Diseases Hospital in Kabul, said: 鈥淲e appreciate and support such reports and always call for more content like this to help prevent children from falling victim to various illnesses.鈥
Dr. Javid Hajir, Public Relations Specialist at the Deputy Ministry of Food and Drugs (Ministry of Public Health), also welcomed the report, calling it instrumental in boosting public awareness.
鈥淭hese issues are real, and our teams at the Food and Drug Authority encounter them on a daily basis. Fortunately, we鈥檝e managed to address many of these cases. This year, our public awareness department has become more active, conducting educational outreach in schools and other venues.鈥
He also urged the media to continue publishing and promoting such investigative reports.
Mothers鈥 Reactions
Yalda Ebrahimi, a mother from Kabul, said that after reading Pajhwok鈥檚 report, she decided to prohibit her children from eating such snacks.
鈥淢y young son and daughter don鈥檛 usually listen鈥攖hey love buying and eating these market snacks. They even cry to get money from me. Sometimes, they fall sick. But after reading the report, I won鈥檛 let them buy these things anymore.鈥
Setayesh Ahmadi, another mother, added: 鈥淚 saw the Pajhwok report and learned how harmful these snacks really are. We didn鈥檛 know before, but now I鈥檝e decided not to let my children buy chips, puffs, or other similar items.鈥
Both mothers praised Pajhwok for its initiative in informing the public and protecting children鈥檚 health.