Experts have urged Parliament to pass into law the Alcoholic Drinks Control Bill, citing the high cost of treating people battling alcohol dependence and abuse, saying that on average, each patient require Shs2M monthly, and Shs24M annually at treatment in a rehabilitation facility.
These were appearing before Parliamentary Commitee on Health that handling the bill this week to give their views on the bill.
Albert Elwa, former alcohol abuser called for establishment of more rehabilitation centres to save lives, saying he received rehabilitation for alcohol abuse for 15years and ended up losing his oesophagus after acquiring esophageal (cancer of oesophagus).
“When you look at the ratio of dependence to treatment, in a country of 45million people, we have about 4-5million people dependent on alcohol, this calls for the area of us setting up rehabilitation centres. If there is a way, we strongly appeal of going back to the drawing board and see ways of coming up with the Alcohol Fund. It will support enforcement and also support initiatives towards treatment,” said Elwa.
The bill was given 60 days to be debated and will be presented to the house
