Let alcoholics foot the bill

I have often written about the 'health cost' of alcoholism, whereby the State is compelled to spend millions of rupees per year on saving the lives of alcoholics. There has been little recognition of this factor in our country, which has a completely free healthcare system. A hospital does not inquire about the person's standing who seeks its help - they just treat him or her, completely free. They do not ask how and why he or she picked up a disease. Instead, the focus is on caring for the patients until full recovery.

Let's face it, there are a lot of alcohol consumers in this country, whether we like it or not. They spend millions of rupees every year on their habit. Some of them are casual drinkers, while the others are habitual drinkers. Addicts, in other words. It is the latter group that causes a burden to the health system and by extension, to the Exchequer.

Alcohol, not to mention tobacco, paves the way for a number of Non-Communicable Diseases or NCDs as they are known in the medical community. NCD is the latest health threat in Sri Lanka, with around 350 deaths daily. Alcohol addicts have to be given expensive drugs and treatment regimens. Some of them even have to undergo complex surgery. This obviously costs a lot of money to the State. Many alcohol consumers know about the ill-effects of excessive alcohol consumption and yet continue their drinking habit. In common parlance, they know what they are in for.

At last, the Health authorities seem to have realised that the Government can no longer afford to pay for the treatment of these preventable diseases. This is why we applaud Health Minister Maithripala Sirisena's decision to levy a payment from patients who seek treatment at Government hospitals for diseases caused primarily by alcohol. This will be done on the recommendations of doctors who conduct the diagnosis, a Health Ministry spokesman said. It is a landmark decision in our health annals. It is our view that this step should have been taken at least two decades ago. But better late than never.

The Minister has said that when a doctor diagnoses that the cause of the disease is alcohol, the State funds spent on treating such patients will be recovered from them, under the new system. The taxpayer will not have to foot the bill, as done at present.

We suggest that tobacco-borne diseases be also included in this scheme. Smokers also know about the risks involved, including lung cancer. In fact, smoking is even more dangerous and life-threatening than consuming alcohol, according to medical evidence. Of course, it is up to the doctors and hospital authorities to decide whether under certain circumstances such as abject poverty, certain patients should be exempted from the charges on humanitarian grounds. And all those who are successfully treated must be warned severely not to take up the habit again.

This new initiative complements the Government's successful Mathata Thitha program, which envisages a drastic reduction in tobacco and alcohol consumption by 2015. Minimising the adverse effects of alcohol and tobacco in society is a timely and important move.

It must also be borne that illegal and adulterated alcohol is responsible for most cases, some of which turn out to be fatal. Many persons are addicted to kasippu , either because they cannot afford to purchase alcohol or because they have got used to the brew. It is no secret that kasippu mudalalis have the backing of powerful persons and even lower ranking members of the law enforcement authorities in the respective areas to continue their moonshine trade unhindered. Action must be taken to eradicate this menace, before it claims hundreds more precious lives. Worse, these mudalalis do not pay a red cent in taxes to the Government. But when their 'clients' fall sick, it is the taxpayer who has to pay for treatment. Action must also be taken against legal liquor store owners who adulterate their alcohol stocks, sometimes using banned or harmful ingredients.

Addressing the twin problems of disease and proliferation of illegal brews is vital, but the authorities should not overlook one more crucial factor. The keyword must be prevention. The main aim should be stopping the flow of new consumers of tobacco and alcohol - youngsters. The marketing machines of tobacco and alcohol companies target youngsters to boost their dwindling market. The two industries desperately need more customers to stay profitable in the light of dwindling consumption and youngsters are more likely to be impressed by the false aura of glamour projected for tobacco and alcohol by these companies.

This is where a more effective anti-alcohol campaign is needed. The message must be driven home that alcohol consumption is definitely harmful to your health, and now to your wallet, if hospitalised. Religious leaders, parents and teachers must renew the fight against these evils and impress upon the younger generation the dangers associated with tobacco and alcohol. The print and electronic media must frequently highlight the ill effects of smoking and alcohol consumption. They should also highlight the Minister's decision on treating these patients.

The authorities should also close any loopholes in existing laws which enable tobacco and alcohol companies to try new ways to entice youth. New laws should be drafted if deemed necessary. The Excise Department should be empowered with more personnel to deal with errant liquor store owners as well as with illegal brewers. Those who violate the excise/tobacco laws should be punished severely. Only such an approach will help realize the noble goals of the Mathata Thitha program. All should contribute to making this a success.