Phnom Penh (FN), Feb. 26 – Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet urged all relevant parties, particularly the Ministry of Education, Youth and Sport, to prioritise children's nutrition by strictly prohibiting the sale of sugary and energy drinks to students. This measure aims to safeguard their health as childhood diabetes becomes increasingly prevalent.

The premier spoke on Wednesday (Feb. 26) at the closing of the MOEYS’s 2024 annual meeting at the Institute of Technology of Cambodia.

Samdech Thipadei Hun Manet stressed that childhood diabetes is not only a health issue but also a societal burden. The premier urged parents, teachers, and vendors to be more mindful of the risks associated with sugary beverages.

The premier noted that an increasing number of young children at Kantha Bopha Hospital have been diagnosed with diabetes, often due to a lack of parental awareness. In some cases, parents unknowingly contribute to the problem by indulging their children's cravings for sweetened drinks and milk.

Premier Hun Manet also called on relevant authorities to promote public awareness through educational messages on health issues, aiming to prevent various diseases, particularly childhood diabetes.

It is worth noting that on 10 December 2024, the Ministry of Education, Youth and Sport issued a directive banning the consumption, distribution, sale, and advertisement of all energy drinks within and around educational institutions.

The Ministry stated that the prohibition of energy drinks on school premises is necessary to mitigate the risk of non-communicable diseases, particularly diabetes, which is linked to excessive consumption of sugary foods, beverages, and energy drinks.
=FRESH NEWS