Government, in partnership with FASFACTS, a non-governmental organisation that identifies and support children who suffer from Foetal Alcohol Syndrome, will observe the International Foetal Alcohol Syndrome Day, globally known as FAS Day, in Diepsloot, tomorrow, 9 September from 09h00.
FAS Day is held each year at on the ninth day of the ninth month to draw attention to the fact that women should not drink alcohol for the duration of their pregnancy. Across the different time zones of the world, bells ring out to raise the awareness of this preventable condition.
The Deputy Ministers Trade and Industry, Ms Elizabeth Thabethe, Social Development Ms Maria Ntuli, and Health, Dr Gwen Ramokgopa, will attend the event.
Diepsloot ranks as one of the areas with the highest cases of fetal alcohol syndrome, which is the reason why it was selected to be where the day will be observed.
“Recent statistics reveal that 26% of women in the child bearing age, from various lower socio-economic communities consume enough alcohol that could place their babies at risk for the Foetal Alcohol Syndrome (FAS). According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), the annual liquor consumption by South Africans amounts to 7.81 litres of pure alcohol per person.
This level of consumption ranks South Africa 52nd on a list of 191 countries. South Africa is also estimated to have alcohol consumption at a score of four in a scale of one to five, with five being the most risky,” said Thabethe.
The day will be a culmination of Sobriety Week campaign that was launched in Pretoria this week. This week’s activities consisted of a workshop in the North West village of Jericho, where a workshop was hosted on the dangers of alcohol abuse, liquor traders were trained on National Liquor Act compliance in Kagiso in the West Rand, a blitz to check on compliance was conducted in Sunnyside, Pretoria.
Enquiries:
Sidwell Medupe
Tel: 012 394 1650
Cell: 079 492 1774
E-mail: MSMedupe@thedti.gov.za
