The FASD network consists of City Health; the City’s Community, Arts & Culture Development Department; the Western Cape Department of Health & Wellness; the Western Cape Education Department; NGOs and researchers working within the field of early child development, FASD and special needs education.
‘When a pregnant woman drinks alcohol, it goes into her bloodstream. The blood takes the alcohol to the unborn baby. Alcohol damages the unborn baby’s growing body and brain, resulting in many types of birth defects. Alcohol harms an unborn baby in different ways at different times during the pregnancy.
‘No alcohol at all during your pregnancy is the only way to prevent FASD. This may seem like a simple preventative measure, but many women struggle with alcohol abuse even when they know it’s one of the worst vices to have during pregnancy. Our Matrix® sites are able to assist with alcohol and drug treatment and women who struggle to kick the habit, can go to the clinic and speak to the experts. Break the addiction if you are thinking of having a baby. If you’re already pregnant, now is the time to stop drinking,’ said Mayoral Committee Member for Community Services & Health, Councillor Patricia Van Der Ross.
FASD day is commemorated annually on the 9 September at 9:09 where bells are rung to highlight the message of FASD:
· FASD is prevented if the mother does not drink any alcohol during pregnancy.
· FASD is 100% preventable. No alcohol for the mom during pregnancy equals no FASD for the baby.
· FASD is 100% permanent. The damage done by the alcohol cannot be undone.
The City’s Eersteriver Clinic and the Eersteriver Matrix® site hosted a community event last week where they shared information on FASD.
The event was held in conjunction with City libraries who highlighted their 1000 stories programme; Community, Arts & Culture Development who demonstrated FASD information with dolls; the Provincial Department of Social Development shared resources for children under 18 years and The Saartjie Baartman Centre for Women and Children provided information around their services offered to women suffering from gender based violence.
Caption: Nomathemba Sejosengoe, a therapist at the Eerste River Matrix® site and Sister Meagan Johnson, a professional nurse at the Eerste River Clinic, explain how alcohol affects an unborn baby.
