Saudi health officials ban sale of soft drinks in hospitals

“While banning soft drinks we want to introduce fresh juices or dairy products as alternatives,” Deputy Minister of Health Yacoub Al-Mazrou told the paper.

The decision, which was made at the fourth Health Services Council meeting earlier this week, follows a similar to move to ban fizzy drinks in schools.

The meeting, to plan a national health strategy, also approved the setting up on emergency operating theatres in the kingdom’s major cities, with the first being planned for Riyadh.