Interview with Mphonyane Mofokeng, Director Blue Clue Thaba Bosiu, Lesotho. A comprehensive interview about her responsibilities and alcohol policy developments in Lesotho. Mofokeng tell us about the challenges and the triumphs over the years.
SAAPA Chairperson: Mrs Mphonyane Rosemay Matumelo Mofokeng
What does your job entail on a daily basis?
I am in-charge of the Thaba Bosiu Alcohol and Drugs Rehabilitation Centre of the Blue Cross, and responsible for day to day running of the Centre which entails the following:
- Prepares and present the activities and budget of the centre to the Board for approval, and finally submit to Ministry of Health and other development partners.
- Leads the Management team and provides supervision and guidance to Heads of departments who are five.
- Appoints and dismiss staff, except for departmental leaders and/or management staff whom only can be dismissed after consultation with the Board;
- Instructs and follow up preparations of the Annual expenditure estimates yearly;
- Attends the Annual general meetings of Blue Cross Lesotho to which I present the approved annual report of the centre, similarly for important government meetings;
- Prepares and provides the Board with full report of the activities and financial statements of the centre and centre’s projects.
- Represent the Centre on national and International forums with similar aims and objectives as the Centre or any other organization which could assist the centre to achieve its aims and objectives;
- Updates, implement and monitor guidelines for norms and standards in alcohol and drug related issues;
- Ensures active involvement of donors in the alcohol and drug related issues which will result in more funds for the organization;
- Jointly with the management team I plan and am responsible for the implementation of the annual in-service training programs for staff yearly;
- I am the Chief Accounting officer of the Centre and the Secretary and ex-officio member of the Board and Standing Committee;
- The tasks that I have been given also include development of a Resource Mobilization Plan; development of a Strategic Plan; research grants opportunities and pursue grants as directed by the Board; development of corporate partners for current and potential projects and development fund raising vehicles for the organization.
What are your qualifications and/or your previous experience?
I have a Masters Degree in Further and Higher Education majoring with Quality Assurance. I have experience in training and facilitation as a part time lecture at the National University of Lesotho since 1998. I have 23 years experience of working in the field of alcohol and drugs related problems. I joined the Blue Cross in 1991 and founded Anti Drug Abuse Association of Lesotho in 2002.
Personally, why do you think the region needs to improve on alcohol related policy?
I have come to realise that we live in similar situations and that the world has become so small that what happens in another country is common in the next country. Experience has taught me that all the efforts of curbing alcohol problems without putting in place proper policies are in vein. It is important for the region to improve on alcohol policies because we do not live in isolation of each other; there is high influence of what happens in one country to affect the other country. Improving on alcohol policy will great a conducive environment for the effective alcohol education. Personally I know that policies alone cannot change the situation, but policies are needed for effective and efficient implementation of any prevention strategies. It is also my personal view that regional policies helps in standardisation of preventive measures within the region as a result people may not cross the border to indulge in abusive behaviours.
What are the major issues caused by alcohol in your country?
According to the mini survey that I conducted as part of advocacy work drunkenness is the major issue resulting from alcohol use. The most common way in which the drinking of family members has affected families is the abusive language where 11 respondents reported their families having been affected by it. It is followed by Gender based violence, with 9 responses, unplanned pregnancies 8 responses and school dropout 7 responses. The respondents’ drinking has affected their families through domestic violence 16, social conflicts 9, violence and food insecurity 5. Economic insecurity, health problems and infidelity are not common problems. The most common roles which respondents said they have neglected as a result of their drinking are providing for the family and communicating with family members 8 respondents. Failure to contribute to family plans by the drinking members of the family is another serious pain experienced by family members 7 responses.
Even though economic insecurity does not appear to be a major problem with the families of the respondents, it can be an issue if 9 respondents complain of misuse of funds by people who abuse alcohol.
In addition to the above, alcohol causes harm far beyond the physical health of the drinker. It is a major determinant and aggravating factor for psychiatric disorders. According to data collected for LENDU in 2003 from 2 rehabilitation centres in Lesotho, one psychiatric clinic, 4 mental observation and treatment units, the police department, alcohol was a dominant substance of abuse for patients seen in treatment facilities. Over 70 % of 67 patients treated for substance abuse had alcohol as their primary substance of abuse during the period January to June 2003. 78% were men and a third of the patients were 30yrs of age or younger3.
Accidents are the major source of male outpatient consultations, admissions and deaths7. A study conducted in Lesotho in 1988 showed that of all patients with assault trauma attending Quthing District Hospital, alcohol was involved in at least 185 (37%) incidents6.
Alcohol is seen as a threat to the health and safety of the abuser and also triggers other problems. The Lesotho Social Development Policy explains these problems as:
• Alcohol abuse undermines social functioning. In the case of married people, alcohol abuse can create marital conflicts which can lead to divorce.
• Alcohol abuse can cause absenteeism at work and the abuser may end up losing his/her job. This affects the whole dependents of such an abuser.
• Alcohol abuse often causes income insecurity, as abusers spend their income on alcohol, living the family with nothing.
• Alcohol abuse often causes road and occupational accidents injuries.
• Alcohol abuse makes the abusers vulnerable to HIV and AIDS
• Alcohol abuse among youth may cause them to drop out of school and turn to a life of crime. And for girls alcohol abuse may result in unwanted pregnancies which force them to drop out of school.
What achievements have been made so far by your organisation towards improving alcohol related policy in your country?
In Lesotho we realise major steps towards the adoption of the alcohol policy and its translation into law. First I must say it was not an easy journey. In 2007 there was an alcohol policy drawn under the influence of the alcohol industry. In 2011 a workshop on evidence based public health focused alcohol policy was conducted and in 2013 a final draft of the evidence based alcohol policy was released. The stakeholder meeting was held and comments added to the draft. During the same year Alcohol Policy Alliance of Lesotho started the advocacy campaigns. A giant step was the development of the documentary reflecting on the alcohol problem in Lesotho and how people see alcohol policy as a solution to the problems. This was followed by a buy-in of the parliamentarians through their signing of a petition to support the adoption and translation into law of the alcohol policy draft. The international conference on alcohol policy focusing on Taxation and Marketing which showed resistance during the stakeholder meetings and the campaigns. It was another achievement to have the two Ministers pledge their support to the policy and agreeing to the proposed alcohol levy together with its annual increase and the establishment of bureau of standards together with the consumer protection law.
A task force has been formed to work with the Director General of Health Services to prepare for the Principal Secretaries briefing in preparation for the presentation of the policy to the cabinet.
Are you winning?
Yes we are winning. The government- Ministry of Health actually relies on our advocacy to have the policy move from one stage to the next. We have however realised sabotage by the MMB working with some of the people within the ministry and because we are aware of it, we are ready to stop that.
What support has been provided by Government and other key stakeholders?
The outstanding support is the acceptance of the government ministries to attend an International Conference organized by us and its readiness to provide required information for us to move our advocacy agenda. For example the taxation part where we were given advice on the different types of alcohol and tobacco taxes and the type that benefits us.
What support would further assist you as you move forward?
Further support that we need from the government is to have the Ministry of health sections working together. For example the NCD and legal department so that the draft is moved as it should.
We would also like to have more financial support for bill boards, TV and radio adverts to counteract the industry’s adverts; trainings of all local government structures and community leaders at grass roots including politicians.