It would seem a defiance to her boss, former President George Weah’s instruction that all non- tenured appointed official shall presumed to have resigned as of the day of inauguration, if Wilhelmina Jallah in her capacity as Health Minister participates in formally launch the Liberia Alcohol Policy Alliance (LAPA) today in Monrovia.
According to the protocol, Jallah is expected to lead an array of health partners, both local and international, including Plan Liberia, World Health Organization, and other national health institutions, to the formal launch the LAPA today.
According to the National Chairperson of LAPA, Roseline Thomas-Richards, both local and international health organizations and partners are expected to grace the ceremony, which is intended to reduce the consumption of alcohol in the country.
She said, among many things, that when the policy is launched and implemented, it would help to reduce consumption of alcohol, mainly among young people because many at times, alcohol is always linked to health problems or complications.
Thomas-Richards stated that the policy was formulated in 2019, following three years of advocacy, but now, they deemed it necessary to have same formally launched for the betterment of the country and its population.
“These policies were formulated by civil society organizations in the country that saw the need to do same because alcohol consumption is causing problems for the country’s youthful population, and we must act now with meaningful polices for the future because these young people shall take over from us tomorrow,” she noted.
According to research, the harmful use of alcohol is responsible for over three million deaths worldwide annually.
Alcohol is one of the preventable risk factors for cancer, cardiovascular disease, violence and injuries, communicable diseases such as tuberculosis, HIV/AIDS, among others.
Alcohol is also linked to the risk of developing health issues, such as mental and behavioral disorders, and alcohol dependence.
