WHO awards Health state minister Baryomunsi

Jun 30, 2015

World Health Organization (WHO) has awarded the state minister of health in charge of general duties Dr. Chris Baryomonsi as one of the global champions advocating for the control of tobacco consumption in public places

By Violet Nabatanzi

World Health Organization (WHO) has awarded the state minister of health in charge of general duties Dr. Chris Baryomonsi as one of the global champions advocating for the control of tobacco consumption in public places.


The medical officer for disaster at WHO, Dr. Solomon Fisseha, stressed that tobacco consumption remains one of the most factors contributing to the highest prevalence of non-communicable diseases.



The medical officer for disaster at WHO, Dr. Solomon Fisseha, handing an award to Health minister in charge of general duties Dr. Chris Baryomonsi, PHOTO/VIOLET NABATANZI                              

Speaking while receiving the award  at the ministry of health, Baryomonsi said, "We are losing many people due to NCDs and Tobacco consumption is contributing significantly to this burden, I thought I would make contribution by bringing in a bill on Tobacco control."

"I feel very happy and energized when partners like WHO recognize those little efforts; it now challenges me to work harder to ensure that the Bill is passed in order to save the lives of Ugandans," Baryomonsi said.

Baryomonsi is not the first Ugandan to receive an award from WHO on promoting good health for all. In 2004, Phillip Karugaba received a similar award recognizing him for initiating a law protecting the public from tobacco smoke.

He said the law is however still facing a lot of resistance from both the profiteers who argue the tobacco industry brings in a lot of taxes and legislators-MPs.

The recent studies have however demonstrated that for every one dollar that the Country receives from tobacco industry, government spends three dollars to treat diseases and related complications as a result of tobacco consumption.
 

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