…alcohol liver disease remains the leading cause of death in the country, responsible for 12 percent of all fatalities, with 146 deaths reported in 2022.
NGAWANG JAMPHEL
Thimphu
The Annual Health Bulletin 2023 has reported a significant and troubling rise in mental and behavioral disorders due to alcohol consumption over the past five years.
The reported cases have escalated dramatically, from just over 1,000 in 2018 to more than 2,000 in 2022. This indicates a consistent annual increase of nearly 300 cases, highlighting a growing public health concern.
The government has acknowledged the seriousness of the situation. During the 4th Meet the Press session on 30 May, PM Tshering Tobgay stressed the need for comprehensive research to understand the underlying causes of the rise in alcohol-related disorders.
He mentioned recent policy changes, such as the elimination of ‘dry days’ and the discontinuation bar licenses. Still, he cautioned that these changes alone might not explain the increase in cases.
The PM observed that despite these policy adjustments, alcohol consumption patterns have not notably increased, suggesting that other factors might be contributing to the rise in disorders. “About a year or so, the policy changed so there was no dry day, and bar license to sell the alcohol was also discontinued.
Because of these two policies, PM said “We cannot say for sure the number of alcohol consumption has increased.” He added, “We need to do thorough research because even before the discontinuation of dry days, we drink on Tuesdays.”
“Even when we ask the hospital, they say that the mental disorder has not particularly increased due to alcohol. However, we need to investigate thoroughly,” he said.
While the number of mental and behavioral disorders due to alcohol is on the rise, there is a contrasting trend in alcohol liver disease cases, which have been decreasing over the same period. However, alcohol liver disease remains the leading cause of death in the country, responsible for 12 percent of all fatalities, with 146 deaths reported in 2022.
This decline in liver disease cases could be attributed to better medical interventions and increased awareness, but it punctuates the persistent and severe impact of alcohol on public health.
In response to the growing health concerns, the World Health Organisation (WHO) has recommended that policymakers implement stricter regulations on the availability of alcohol. WHO’s guidelines suggest that reducing the accessibility of alcohol can significantly decrease consumption rates and related health issues.
The government is urged to follow these recommendations and to invest in thorough research to develop effective strategies for mitigating alcohol-related health problems.
This includes exploring more about the social and cultural dynamics that contribute to alcohol addiction and considering more robust public health campaigns and interventions aimed at reducing alcohol dependency and promoting healthier lifestyles.
As the country grapples with these rising figures, the importance of addressing both the availability and cultural acceptance of alcohol becomes increasingly clear.
Comprehensive strategies, informed by detailed research and guided by international best practices, will be essential in curbing the rise of alcohol-related mental and behavioral disorders and ensuring the well-being of the population.
