The National Council for Childhood and Motherhood (NCCM) issued a stark warning against the dangers of promoting non-scientifically backed treatment regimens that oppose essential medications for children, stressing that such practices pose a direct threat to their health and lives.
Advocating the discontinuation of necessary medication for children under the pretext that they carry health risks whereas other, “natural” alternatives exist, is not only dangerous but constitutes a criminal act subject to legal accountability, said Sahar al‑Sonbaty, President of NCCM. Dr Sonbaty described such behaviour as “deliberately endangering young lives.”
In response to a recent case in which a diabetic child was taken off insulin, the NCCM confirmed it has taken legal action and notified the Public Prosecution, claiming the child was put at risk. The case surfaced after the Child Helpline identified a widely shared post by a mother who said she had stopped her child’s insulin treatment in response to a doctor’s online promotion of a controversial, unscientific regimen to replace what he claimed was “harmful” insulin therapy that should be abandoned. Authorities were immediately alerted to ensure the child’s protection and initiate legal procedures.
Withholding essential medical care, particularly in chronic conditions such as Type 1 diabetes, Dr Sonbaty said, amounts to severe negligence and carries legal consequences. She warned families against being misled by unverified claims and misinformation, especially on social media, that can lead to serious health outcomes.
Wael Abdel Razek, Secretary-General of NCCM, highlighted that Type 1 diabetes requires consistent insulin therapy, and is an indispensable, life-saving treatment. He cautioned that stopping insulin without medical supervision can rapidly lead to severe complications, including acute hyperglycemia, dehydration, impaired consciousness that may progress to coma, and, in extreme cases, death.
He added that no dietary regimen can replace essential medical treatment for this condition, describing the spread of such ideas on social media as dangerously misleading.
The Council thus issued its statement urging parents and caregivers to follow established medical guidance from trusted authorities, including the Egyptian Ministry of Health and the World Health Organisation, and to never discontinue treatment without consulting qualified physicians. It also confirmed ongoing monitoring of this issue, in coordination with relevant authorities, to protect children and promote evidence-based health awareness.
Meanwhile, Sabry Othman, Director of the Child Helpline (16000), affirmed that the Council will continue to track such incidents and respond decisively, encouraging the public to report any cases of child endangerment through the Child Helpline.
Watani International
4 May 2026
