In his presentation at the meeting Dr John Mayaya from the Ministry of Health (picture to the right) stressed the important role of NGOs in alcohol policy discussions. He said that governments need NGOs both as watchdogs, as strong voices for public health interests and as partners in mobilizing stakeholders.
Dr Mayeya presented the new Liquor Act which had just been adopted by the Zambian parliament. This Act will be followed by a new alcohol policy which is soon to be presented and adopted. The new policy, however, has been developed without any broad participation from the civil society of Zambia. Dr. Mayeya therefore invited all the present NGOs to submit their opinions on the policy shortly after the workshop. He also welcomed the fact that a network of NGOs concerned with alcohol policies now seemed to be emerging in Zambia.
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