9-9-9 campaign against FAS kicks off in Ladybrand – Free State Province
For nine days across nine provinces the Deputy Minister of Social Development, Mme Hendrietta Bogopane-Zulu will be criss-crossing the country educating South Africans about the dangers of Foetal Alcohol Syndrome Disorder (FASD). FASD is a leading source of non-genetic developmental and intellectual disability globally and is usually associated with primary and secondary disabilities. South Africa has been identified by the World Health Organisation (WHO) to have the highest reported prevalence of FASD in the world.
FASD is a preventable condition which impacts negatively on unborn babies as a result of alcohol intake by mothers during pregnancy. This condition also causes mental and physical life-long problems for unborn babies as a result of the mothers’ alcohol consumption during pregnancy and breastfeeding.
Women who drink alcohol during pregnancy run the risk of giving birth to unhealthy babies because the alcohol is transferred through the mother’s blood and passes it on to the unborn baby through the placenta.
The campaign will be launched as an interactive dialogue where various sectors comprising of the Beer Association of South Africa, pregnant women, youth, parents of children with FASD, tavern and shebeen owners and traditional leaders. This initiative affords community members to exchange views on how to prevent FASD to protect children.
The 9-9-9 campaign, will run for 9 consecutive days ending on the 9th of September, which is International Foetal Alcohol Syndrome Day aimed at raising awareness and educating all citizens about this condition.
The Department of Social Development is the lead department in the coordination and implementation of the National Drug Master Plan (NDMP) which is aimed at achieving a drug free society for the benefit of all South Africans. The Department also has a role to implement programmes targeting at preventing alcohol related social ills including; gender-based violence, teenage pregnancy, HIV and Aids chronic and dysfunctional communities.
9-9-9 stands for 9 consecutive days in 9 provinces leading up to the 9th day of September, which is International Foetal Alcohol Syndrome Day.
Source: Government of South Africa