Almost half of the pregnant women in the Western Cape drink alcohol, and the incidence of foetal alcohol syndrome (FAS) in the province stands at 7,5 percent of all babies born.
A plan is now being devised to have all prospective mothers screened and counselled about the dangers of excessive drinking, Health MEC Marius Fransman said.
"Our message needs to be clear, frank and even ruthless. Alcohol causes foetal alcohol syndrome when consumed while pregnant. If you are drinking during pregnancy, you are killing your child, period.
"My department has finished the second draft of the Western Cape Provincial Policy on foetal alcohol syndrome. All sexually active women who consider having children will be screened and counselled about the dangers of drinking to their health and that of their unborn child.
"We will offer diagnostic services, including one free ultrasound to all pregnant women before 24 weeks of gestation. We will have foetal growth monitoring and provide counselling where necessary. We are going to have physical examinations of the neonates for birth defects and refer mothers for counselling and medical care if foetal alcohol syndrome is diagnosed," he said yesterday.
Fransman said a survey at antenatal clinics in the Southern Cape, West Coast and the Cape Metropole, showed that almost half (42,8 percent) of all women consumed alcohol during pregnancy.
"We have one of the highest incidence of foetal alcohol syndrome with over 7,5 percent of children (mostly) in socioeconomically disadvantaged areas being affected. Historically this problem has been prevalent in the Stellenbosch, Boland region, but it has now been reported to spread to other areas," he said.
Women On Farms director Fatima Shaboodien said any programme aimed at tackling FAS should also address alcoholism in disadvantaged communities. "Alcoholism, which is a disease, is physical and must be treated. Alcohol abuse is much higher among the poor.
"Rich people have the resources to treat their addiction. It is the socio-economic conditions of poor communities that must be addressed. There is a direct link between alcohol addiction and sexually-motivated crimes, HIV infection and domestic abuse.
"We still wait to see the (liquor) industry take some responsibility, but today we are excited about the moves the Health Department is making and hope it will result in a comprehensive programme," she said.