01 Jun 2014

Government alone cannot manage to deal with alcoholism.

Speaking at the launch of two alcohol levy funded projects in Maun on May 30, the public health specialist in Ngami District Health Management Team (DHMT) Dr Christopher Chembe stressed the importance of partnering with the Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs) and Faith Based Organisations (FBOs) in addressing social ills. 

Dr Chembe said civil organisations were crucial since they were directly connected to the communities and better placed to help the Ministry of Health in addressing the problem of alcohol abuse.

“Alcohol is a problem in this district, many people are affected, children are disturbed and a lot of family disruptions are caused,” he said.

Some of the patients diagnosed regularly, he said, were suffering from alcohol related diseases, adding that alcohol could lead to serious conditions such as liver cirrhosis and alcoholic addiction. 

He pointed out that government took a stance in 2012 to address the issue of alcohol abuse through the introduction of the alcohol levy campaign.

Meanwhile, Dr Chembe decried that some churches were failing to achieve their mandate of proclaiming the gospel of Jesus Christ and salvation of people’s lives.

Dr Chembe therefore implored churches in Maun to join hands in addressing issues affecting their communities.

In his remarks, Pastor Jerry Lackey of Love Botswana Outreach Mission noted that using the alcohol levy funds to impact people in a positive way by bringing help and hope to the affected families was phenomenal.

For his part, Women Against Rape (WAR) head counselor, Mr Gabalape Tauejele said the launch marked the second phase of the alcohol levy funded campaign project, which was pointed towards rehabilitation of the victims of alcohol, counselling them and training people on community mobilization in Maun and four other villages.

Meanwhile , the senior social worker at Love Botswana Outreach Mission Ms Eva Dambe said the 12 month project entailed giving support for the rehabilitation of victims of alcohol by strengthening families affected by alcohol abuse in Maun. 

The two campaign projects by Love Botswana and WAR are funded through the alcohol levy. Ends