***Says Doctors are Seeing Liver Cirrhosis in Teenagers and Adults Aged 22-30
The Nigerian Medical Association (NMA), Ondo State Chapter, has raised concerns over an alleged increase in cases of liver and kidney diseases among young people, warning that the consumption of fake and adulterated alcoholic beverages could be a contributing factor.
The State Chairman of the association, Dr Roland Arohunmolase, disclosed this in a statement, noting that medical practitioners were increasingly encountering cases of liver cirrhosis among teenagers and young adults aged between 22 and 30 years.
According to him, the development is worrying, as such severe liver conditions are traditionally less common among people within the age group.
The association, however, noted that further investigations would be required to establish the extent to which unsafe alcoholic beverages contribute to the reported cases.
The NMA expressed concern that fake and adulterated drinks were no longer restricted to informal markets but had reportedly found their way into supermarkets, hotels and bars, exposing more consumers to potential health risks.
It warned that the consumption of such products could have serious health consequences and called for urgent measures to curb their circulation.
The association urged the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) and other relevant regulatory authorities to intensify surveillance, identify and seize unsafe beverages, and prosecute individuals and businesses found culpable.
It stressed the need for stronger enforcement of existing regulations to protect public health and prevent consumers from unknowingly purchasing harmful products.
The NMA also called for increased vigilance across the beverage supply chain, emphasising the importance of ensuring that drinks sold to the public meet established safety and quality standards.
The association’s warning comes amid concerns over the potential health risks associated with counterfeit and adulterated alcoholic beverages, particularly among young people.
