Minister of Health Dr. Frank Anthony is urging people, especially men, to live a healthier lifestyle. He urged people to cut out the habit of consuming alcohol at every event.
Minister Anthony was at the time speaking at the Launching of Men’s Week 2022.
In the company of an audience of men and healthcare professionals, Minister Anthony pointed out that alcohol can lead to many illnesses. It’s time, men especially, cut out the habit of consuming alcohol at every social event.
“Guyanese people love to drink. We go to any entertainment event. If you go to any sporting event people got to take their drinks. You go to dinner or something, you got to get drinks; you go to a celebration of someone’s birthday you got to get drinks; you go to a funeral, you got to drink.
“But is the drinking healthy for you? Is the alcohol healthy for you?. It’s not. That can lead to all kinds of complications. But yet it is seen as if this is something that is normal. We have to start changing that type of behaviour.”
According to the Minister, while both genders are in the habit of consuming lots of alcohol, men consume more.
Minister Anthony added that this remains a serious issue, and people, especially men, must take control of their own health since the consumption of alcohol can lead to many health issues that can be avoided
“Many men are consuming or overconsuming alcohol and in a lot of instances alcohol like any other substance would lead to problems. You will start to get a physiological problem, then eventually you get a physical dependency, and that’s it.
“Without a shot in the morning, you can’t move. You have to get something to stabilise you before you can move on for the day. That’s not how it is supposed to be because many of these persons end up with Cirrhosis of the liver. Many of them end up with all kinds of complications all of which we could avoid.”
Minister Anthony said Guyana remains high on the alcohol consumption list in the world and it remains something individuals themselves must change in order to have a greater impact.
The Minister in the coming week is expected to cater directly too men and their health.
IN the week, mental health, physical health and other needs will be catered for to ensure that men are appreciated and looked after.
As such, the Ministry of Health has set out to bring the health care men need to where they are throughout the country with several mini health care facilities set up.
With this week being for men, according to the health care professionals, there is need to continue to encourage men to make better health decisions.
