LETTERS: We refer to the recent news report that the Penang authorities have rejected the Consumers' Association of Penang (CAP) proposal to restrict the operating hours for 24-hour restaurants and eateries.
Penang government executive councillor Jason M.L. H'ng said CAP's proposal will "not only disrupt workers' livelihoods but also lead to a domino effect on the economy".
He didn't explain how. For me, Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad's position which is to study the proposal and, decide after consulting all stakeholders, is the sensible thing to do.
In addition, the health and lives of our workers and people should not be sacrificed at the altar of the so-called "economic benefits". Studies have shown the link between late-night eating and obesity, which is a national health problem.
A new study by Harvard Medical School found that when we eat significantly, it impacts our energy expenditure, appetite and molecular pathways in adipose tissue.
The study found that eating four hours later makes a significant difference to our hunger levels. Recently, Deputy Health Minister Datuk Lukanisman Awang Sauni revealed that there were nearly five million Malaysians at risk of diabetes that has become a growing public health concern.
A study published by the British health agency Public Health England states that being overweight or obese is the main modifiable risk factor for type 2 diabetes.
On its health impact, the report states that people with diabetes are at a greater risk of chronic health conditions, including cardiovascular disease, blindness, amputation, kidney disease and depression.
The report further states that diabetes leads to a two-fold excess risk for cardiovascular disease, and diabetic retinopathy is the leading cause of preventable sight loss among people of working age in England and Wales.
Diabetes is a major cause of premature mortality, with around 23,300 additional deaths in 2010 to 2011 in England attributed to the disease.
On the economic impact, the report states that it is estimated in 2010-2011 the cost of direct patient care for those living with type 2 diabetes in the UK was £8.8 billion and the indirect cost for such productivity loss due to increased death and illness was £13 billion.
The annual direct healthcare cost from diabetes in Malaysia is about RM4.4 billion, higher than cancer (RM1.3 billion) and cardiovascular disease (RM3.9 billion).
The huge sum of RM9.65 billion was spent annually to deal with Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs) in the country. These figures do not include the cost of productivity loss due to illness and death from NCDs.
The cost of treating diabetic patients and workers' productivity loss, due to, among other factors, late-night eating far outweighs H'ng's claim of economic losses.
The Penang authorities should wait for the outcome of the health minister's consultation and not rush to defend 24-hour restaurants and eateries.
MOHIDEEN ABDUL KADER
President,Consumers' Association of Penang
The views expressed in this article are the author's own and do not necessarily reflect those of the New Straits Times
