Foetal Alcohol Syndrome is 100 percent preventable, says Deputy Minister Bogopane-Zulu
The Deputy Minister of Social Development, Hendrietta Bogopane-Zulu, informed the community of Bela Bela in Limpopo, that Foetal Alcohol Syndrome (FAS) is 100% preventable.
Deputy Minister Bogopane-Zulu said this at a community dialogue attended by local councillors, NGOs, teachers, parents and learners as part of the 9-9-9 Campaign against FAS which is currently under way.
The campaign, which was launched in the Western Cape on 01 September 2018, aims to create awareness and educate communities about the dangers of alcohol consumption during pregnancy which include giving birth to a baby with FAS.
Babies with FAS have growth defects and they often suffer from learning and development difficulties.
Speaking to community members, the Deputy Minister urged all members of the community to work together to prevent anymore FAS births by supporting pregnant women and girls in the local community.
A report on Foetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders (FASD) prevalence rates from the Foundation for Alcohol Related Research (FARR) shows that South Africa is leading the globe with the highest number of FAS births.
The Western Cape currently has the highest percentage, with 13,5 – 20,8% of babies being born with FAS in the areas of Wellington, Montagu, Ashton and Robertson country wide.
No studies have been done in KwaZulu-Natal, Limpopo, North West and Mpumalanga Provinces to date.
|
Province |
Community |
Prevalence rate as a percentage |
|
Western Cape |
Wellington |
8,9 |
|
Aurora |
10 |
|
|
Witzenberg Sub-district |
9,6 |
|
|
Saldanha Bay Municipality |
6,7 |
|
|
Wellington, Montagu, Ashton, Robertson |
13,5 – 20,8 |
|
|
Prince Albert |
14 |
|
|
Gauteng |
Soweto, Diepsloot, Lenasia |
2,6 |
|
Northern Cape |
De Aar |
11,9 |
|
Upington |
7,4 |
|
|
Kimberley |
6,4 |
|
|
Renosterberg Municipality |
28,2 |
|
|
Hanover |
20,8 |
|
|
Eastern Cape |
Bethelsdorp, Port Elizabeth |
13 |
|
Burgersdorp |
6,2 |
|
|
Free State |
Jacobsdal |
12,9 |
“If you start drinking alcohol at the age of eighteen, you need ten years to clean it out of your system. This means that alcohol consumption at a young age has long-term and irreversible effects. A person’s brain stops growing at the age of twenty five years,” said the Deputy Minister.
During the interactive session, locals mentioned a number of social challenges in the area, including the mushrooming of illegal liquor outlets that are operating near schools and places of worship.
One of the learners from a local school expressed concerns with the safety of girl learners due to the high prevalence of substance abuse.
“Drug peddlers are operating near our schools and they sell drugs to male learners during school hours. We have reported this matter to local police but no action has been taken against the perpetrators to date. We don’t feel safe in school as girls because anything can happen to us when the other learners are under the influence of drugs,” the teen expressed.
Other concerns raised by the community included teenage pregnancy, underage drinking and the lack of primary healthcare services - including sexual and reproductive health services for young people.
The community was also concerned that the local municipality does not effectively enforce municipal bylaws especially with regards to the issuing of liquor licenses.
In response, the Deputy Minister informed the community that she will visit the area in the near future to address specific issues raised by the community during the dialogues. She indicated that she will also hold a dialogue with the Bela Bela Taverners’ Forum, conduct awareness sessions on underage drinking, gender-based violence and HIV. The Deputy Minister further urged community members to partner with Government in the fight against alcohol and drug abuse.
As part of the 9-9-9 Campaign, local learners, community leaders and members of the community signed a pledge to raise awareness about FAS and to support pregnant women and girls.
The FAS dialogues are continuing tomorrow at the Phuthaditjhaba Multi-Purpose Centre, in the Free State, and for the next six days from 8.30am – 12.30pm as follows:
Day 4
Date: 04 September 2018
Venue: Phuthaditjhaba Multi-Purpose Centre, Free State
Day 5
Date: 05 September 2018
Venue: Podumong Hall, Main Road, Taung, North West
Day 6
Date: 06 September 2018
Venue: Keimoes Town Hall, 459 Main Road, Northern Cape
Day 7
Date: 07 September 2018
Venue: Cacadu Tribal Council, Umtata, Eastern Cape
Day 8
Date: 08 September 2018
Venue: Osizweni Special School, 999 Norda Street, Leslie, Mpumalanga
Day 9
Date: 09 September 2018
Venue: Birchwood Hotel, Gauteng
A closing event of the campaign will be held on the last day which is also commemorated as International FASD Awareness Day.
Media can RSVP:
Justice Malapane
Tel: 066 480 6849
E-mail: JusticeD@dsd.gov.za
Nomfundo Lentsoane
Cell: 081 829 0983
E-mail: NomfundoLe@dsd.gov.za
Media inquiries may be forwarded to:
Lumka Oliphant
Cell: 083 484 8067
E-mail: LumkaO@dsd.gov.za
