Transcript Dorcas Sithole Mental Health Department Ministry of Health & Child Welfare       Initial discussions began in 2008 Consultations very extensive 6 drafts have been made.

Dorcas Sithole
Mental Health Department
Ministry of Health & Child Welfare
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Initial discussions began in 2008
Consultations very extensive
6 drafts have been made from six
consultative meetings
Final draft agreed on end of 2011
Final Draft awaiting cabinet approval
Regulations will be modified to comply with
new policy
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SUMMARY
The Zimbabwe National Alcohol Policy is a comprehensive
national strategy to address and reduce the harmful use of
alcohol. The Policy reaches into the health sector and
beyond to engage development, transportation, justice,
social welfare, agriculture, trade and commerce,
education as well as employment and the community in
partnerships so that the entire population can be free
from alcohol related harm.
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Stigma- shame, blame and fear
Speeds up HIV disease
Promotes high risk sex
Lack of adherence to meds
Poorer health-poor nutrition
Risk factor for
aggressive/violence
•IMPLEMENTATION
Implementation of a comprehensive and
community endorsed national policy assures
availability of alcohol in the community with an
appropriate level of regulation and protection of
at-risk populations, particularly in the context of
HIV/AIDS and society-at-large from the harmful
effects of alcohol use
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Political and Social Commitment
 Needed for a change in social norms
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Freedom to Choose
 Drinking or not behavior is respected
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Protection of Vulnerable Populations
 Such as children , pregnant women and PLHIV
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Protection of At-Risk Individuals and Groups
 Children and adults adversely affected by harmful behavior
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Community Participation
 Crucial to ownership and effectiveness of programs
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Inter-Sectoral Approach
 Essential for harnessing strengths, advantages and different directions
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Evidence-Based
 Based on evidence locally & internationally sourced with sustainability
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Prevention, Treatment and Care Services
 Services are available, accessible and affordable for those affected
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Alcohol Production
 Manufacturers follow best practices with social & environmental
responsibility
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Packaging and Consumer Information
 Regulations that promote legal and harm-free consumption
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Using the Guiding Principles of the Policy the overarching
objective is to prevent and minimize all harm related to
alcohol consumption.
 POLICY AIMS
 To raise awareness of the public health problems caused
by the harmful use of alcohol and the commitment of the
government to reduce and prevent, where possible, the
harmful use of alcohol
 To mobilize all relevant parties to take appropriate and
concerted action to reduce and prevent, where possible,
the harmful use of alcohol
 To enhance the national capacity and capability to reduce
and prevent, where possible, the harmful use of alcohol
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 To strengthen the knowledge base through coordinated
public education programs along with effective
interventions to reduce and prevent the harmful use of
alcohol
 To implement evidence based interventions addressing:
▪ Incidence of intoxication and use by at –risk and vulnerable groups and
populations
▪ Education and information dissemination to health care providers
▪ Evidence-based prevention and treatment
▪ Promoting public safety by reducing drink-driving and other alcoholrelated social disorders,
▪ Regulation of production , promotion and marketing of alcohol products
▪ Prison programming and the criminal justice system
▪ Addressing underage drinking
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COMMUNITY ACTION AND EDUCATION
Policy Interventions
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Develop public education campaign
Initiate & support specific programs e.g. youth and workplace
Develop local capacity for community action programs
Develop school curricula on prevention and treatment
HEATH SERVICES RESPONSE
Policy Interventions
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Increase capacity of health and social welfare system to deliver
prevention , care and treatment for alcohol use disorders
Develop health education for at-risk and vulnerable populations
Health education for health care/security forces /criminal justice
Develop health referrals between hospitals and specialists
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AT-RISK POPULATIONS
Policy Interventions
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Rigorously enforce under age drinking legislation
Develop educational materials specific for at –risk groups
Target outreach & counseling services for at-risk & vulnerable groups
Educate women of child bearing age about alcohol harm
REDUCING ILLEGAL AND INFORMAL ALCOHOL
Policy Interventions
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Develop legislation on informal alcohol
Ensure quality and purity standards on commercial non-licit products
Develop an education program on the harm of informal /illicit alcohol
Develop tracking and shipping systems with border surveillance
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IMPLEMENTATION
• Success will require action by government to engage all relevant stakeholders
on the guiding principles of the National Alcohol Policy as well as the policy
priorities and target areas of the policy.
• Sustained political commitment,
• effective co-ordination ,
• appropriate engagement of all stakeholders
• Critical to the success of the National Alcohol Policy are:
• Dissemination, communication and promotion of the National Alcohol
Policy to key stakeholders
• Building partnerships, including partnerships among government, industry
and the community
• Coordination of activities and outcomes through strategic planning
• Monitoring and Evaluation of the policy and it’s implementation
• A National Alcohol Action plan with annual reporting
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Where are we now?
Under review by the Cabinet Ministers
Upon approval sign by the President
Pre-launch meeting with stakeholders including the
HIV community
Policy launch with initial implementation focused
on community based services integrated with
ongoing HIV/AIDS services
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Government of Zimbabwe
 Government ministries and departments
 Health Advisory office
 Municipalities
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Zimbabwe stakeholders
 Private companies, health professions councils, AA
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WHO country office
USG
 DHHS/SAMHSA
 CDC Zimbabwe
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