Foetal Alcohol Syndrome is a pattern of mental and physical defects that can develop in a foetus as a result of a woman drinking alcohol during pregnancy. It is an entirely preventable condition.
Foetal Alcohol Syndrome
Protecting the innocent: FAS and unborn children
Prevention and education around Foetal Alcohol Syndrome (FAS) is another key priority and high-profile programme in SAB’s revised alcohol strategy.
Here our goal is to protect vulnerable unborn children at risk when pregnant mothers abuse alcohol.
National epidemiological data for FAS is not yet available, but we know that areas in the Western and Northern Cape (including De Aar, Upington, and Wellington) show FAS statistics at unacceptably high levels.
SAB is taking action through strategic partnerships with non-governmental organisations (NGOs) in Western and Northern Cape, by funding impactful intervention programmes to radically increase the reach by 500% and hence in the longer term, to bring down high FAS rates in these areas.
This real impact approach is once again supported by an intensive Reality Check FAS awareness campaign that aims to communicate the harsh truth about drinking whilst pregnant, in a clear and unambiguous way.
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