Malawi Launches Group to Push for Alcohol Policy Reform
The new alliance brings together organizations with unified aims previously working independently.
LILONGWE, Malawi -- A new organization aimed at influencing the adoption of national alcohol policies in the Southern African region officially launched Thursday in Malawi's capital, driven by concerns over health dangers from unregulated alcoholic beverages, writes Martha Nakhate.
The Southern African Alcohol Policy Alliance (SAAPA) has long advocated for stricter alcohol regulations, including a successful campaign years ago to ban alcohol sales in sachets, which made liquor cheap and easily accessible even to youths.
"Years back SAAPA was one of the organizations which fought for the ban of alcohol in sachets. As sachets meant more harm as they are cheap, easily accessible and are easily carried around that made alcohol available to even young ones," said SAAPA Chairperson Jefferson Milanzi.
Milanzi recalled how the consumption of high-concentration alcohol claimed the life of one of his uncles, who vomited pieces of his liver.
Eight people died recently in Blantyre after drinking an unregulated beer called Ambuye Mtengeni, underlining the dangers.
Despite facing legal obstacles, the group persisted in its efforts to establish national alcohol policies addressing health impacts like liver disease as well as social ills including school dropouts fueled by alcohol abuse.
"In unity there's power," Milanzi said.
"We did not go far as every organization was working on its own. Now we are going to gather resources, time, effort together which will lead to victory."
Representing Malawi's health ministry, Dr. Jonathan Chiwanda, head of non-communicable diseases and mental health, commended SAAPA's launch and pledged cooperation on alcohol policy reform.
The new alliance brings together organizations with unified aims previously working independently.
With financiwl support from Forut through the Norwegian Church Aid and DanChurchAid Malawi Joint Country Programme, SAAPA hopes greater coordination will achieve a long-sought comprehensive national alcohol policy.