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The Ministry of Health in Uganda has disclosed that the country allocates over $677 million, equivalent to approximately 2.6 trillion Ugandan shillings, towards the treatment of diseases attributed to alcohol consumption.
This revelation was made by Margaret Muhanga, the State Minister for Primary Health Care, during her appearance before the joint parliamentary committees of trade and health on March 5, 2024. She provided insights into the government’s stance on the Alcoholic Control Bill during the session.
According to Muhanga, findings from the 2014 nationwide Steps Noncommunicable Diseases (NCDs) Risk Factor Survey indicated that 28.9 percent of adults aged between 18 and 69 years reported alcohol consumption. By 2023, this percentage had increased to 31.1 percent, signifying a concerning trend.
It is crucial to recognize that while alcohol consumption contributes significantly to noncommunicable diseases (NCDs), such as cardiovascular diseases, cancers, chronic respiratory diseases, and diabetes, these ailments can also arise from other factors. The World Health Organization (WHO) identifies tobacco use, physical inactivity, unhealthy diets, and air pollution as additional risk factors for NCDs.
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Noncommunicable diseases, also referred to as chronic diseases, are characterized by long-term duration and are influenced by a combination of genetic, physiological, environmental, and behavioral factors, as outlined by the WHO. These diseases, including cardiovascular diseases, cancers, chronic respiratory diseases, and diabetes, pose a significant health burden globally.
Moreover, NCDs disproportionately affect populations in low- and middle-income countries, where the majority of global NCD-related deaths occur, according to WHO statistics. This underscores the urgent need for comprehensive strategies to address the growing prevalence of these diseases.
In response to the escalating alcohol-related health challenges, Muhanga proposed raising the legal age for the sale and consumption of alcohol from 18 to 21 years. She emphasized that brain development continues throughout adolescence and early twenties, with potential long-lasting effects on cognitive function, memory, and decision-making.
Furthermore, Muhanga advocated for regulatory measures to control online alcohol advertising and restrict alcohol adverts during times when children are likely to be watching television. These proposed interventions aim to mitigate the harmful effects of alcohol consumption, particularly among vulnerable populations, and reduce the economic burden associated with treating alcohol-related diseases in Uganda.
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