Alcohol liver disease (ALD) continues to be the top killer in the country. As per the Annual Health Bulletin 2021, on average, 14 people die in a month due to ALD. The report stated that ALD has been claiming the highest number of deaths in the country since a decade ago.
Last year, almost 170 deaths were reported due to ALD. It is an increase of about 30 deaths from 2019.
Besides, more new cases of ALD were reported last year. They were found to be high in the age group of 25-49 years.
Consequently, mental and behavioural disorders due to alcohol also increased to more than 1,500 cases last year from some 1,300 in 2019.
According to the bulletin, the increasing cases could be due to the high social and cultural significance of alcohol in the country.
The National Council’s interim report on the review of harmful use of alcohol stated that there are more than 4,000 outlets comprising retail, wholesale and bars. The report claimed that alcohol is cheap and widely available in the country compared to other countries.
In 2016, the health ministry spent about Nu 27 M to treat alcohol-related diseases. The ministry’s mental health team said the rising deaths and new cases must have further increased the expenditure although the ministry is yet to compile the latest figure.
Sonam Pem
