‘Alcohol behind disease upsurge’
Dec 02, 2006
THE Government is concerned about the high rate of alcohol misuse, the health minister has said.
By Nicholas Kajoba and Fred Ouma
THE Government is concerned about the high rate of alcohol misuse, the health minister has said.
Dr. Stephen Mallinga was on Tuesday launching the Uganda Alcohol Industry Association (UAIA) at Sheraton Hotel, Kampala. UAIA brings together major producers of alcohol.
He said the current upsurge of non-communicable diseases like high blood pressure, cancer, diabetes, mental illness and chronic heart was associated with alcohol abuse.
Uganda Breweries Limited corporate affairs manager Marion Muyobo said UAIA was established to coordinate and direct activities which counter and reduce the abuse of alcohol products.
“Misuse of alcohol contributes to accidents and public disturbances.
Most people who get drunk become a menace. While UAIA has little influence over individuals, it makes substantive contribution to development of responsible norms in society,†Mallinga said.
He saluted and encouraged alcohol firms to join the campaign in reducing bad drinking habits.
He said the Government was working out a comprehensive plan to eliminate the vice by enacting and enforcing relevant policies as well as carrying out sensitisation campaigns.
The World Health Organisation ranks Uganda as one of the countries with the highest alcohol consumption index in the world.
Alcohol misuse accounts for eight percent of total admissions to Butabika Mental Hospital. The abuse also significantly contributes to disruption of public safety and accidents.
THE Government is concerned about the high rate of alcohol misuse, the health minister has said.
Dr. Stephen Mallinga was on Tuesday launching the Uganda Alcohol Industry Association (UAIA) at Sheraton Hotel, Kampala. UAIA brings together major producers of alcohol.
He said the current upsurge of non-communicable diseases like high blood pressure, cancer, diabetes, mental illness and chronic heart was associated with alcohol abuse.
Uganda Breweries Limited corporate affairs manager Marion Muyobo said UAIA was established to coordinate and direct activities which counter and reduce the abuse of alcohol products.
“Misuse of alcohol contributes to accidents and public disturbances.
Most people who get drunk become a menace. While UAIA has little influence over individuals, it makes substantive contribution to development of responsible norms in society,†Mallinga said.
He saluted and encouraged alcohol firms to join the campaign in reducing bad drinking habits.
He said the Government was working out a comprehensive plan to eliminate the vice by enacting and enforcing relevant policies as well as carrying out sensitisation campaigns.
The World Health Organisation ranks Uganda as one of the countries with the highest alcohol consumption index in the world.
Alcohol misuse accounts for eight percent of total admissions to Butabika Mental Hospital. The abuse also significantly contributes to disruption of public safety and accidents.