Ban unhealthy foods in hospitals, minister

My recent experience at the Adult Hospital at the Mt Hope Medical Sciences Complex suggests that a more aggressive policy by the Ministry of Health would be more effective.

After enduring a rather long wait at that hospital, I walked around looking for something to eat and entered an outlet of a well-known coffee chain which occupied a prominent location in the hospital. To my horror about 90 percent of all the baked items on sale were coated lavishly with sugary icing.

I was astonished that this type of sugary snack could be offered for sale in a public hospital where, indeed, many diabetic patients would be in attendance for assistance in managing their disease.

I most humbly suggest that the minister demonstrate his sincerity in addressing the diabetic epidemic by getting the Government to introduce policies that would ban the sale of highly sugared items and other “dangerous” snacks and drinks in public institutions, such as hospitals and schools.

I can refer the minister to a case on medical ethics in the Virtual Mentor, vol 15, 2013, in which one Dr Ashby informed his hospital colleagues that it was unethical for the institution to be serving unhealthy food to employees and patients.

He pointed out that “the hospital is a role model for our visitors and staff, and we must set high-quality standards when it comes to our nutritional offerings.” (http://journalofethics.

ama-assn.org/2013/04/ecas3- 1304.html).

David Subran via email