April 30, 2024
Full spectrum plan for fetal alcohol disorder
Health Minister Shane Reti says new diagnostic guidelines for fetal alcohol spectrum disorder are a chance to step up the response to the debilitating condition.
Dr Reti launched the guidelines, developed by Māori public health organisation Hapai Te Hauora, at Papakura Marae on Friday.
He says the disorder, caused by mothers drinking during pregnancy, has lifetime consequences.
“I’ve seen reports that up to 50 percent of our children in Oranga Tamariki – and we know they’re disproportionately represented by young Maori children – may have FASD and we know your chances of having an interaction with Corrections go up 19-fold. All of these places we have Maori disproportionately represented so this whole condition is disproportionately represented for Maori as well,” Dr Reti says.
Alongside the new guidelines he intends to revitalising the existing FASD Action Plan, offering diagnostic training for health professionals from Child Development Service, run a nationwide prevention campaign to raise awareness and fund a community-led pilot programme to offer targeted support to whānau and caregivers.