NB warns pregnant women against alcohol consumption

The Managing Director (MD), of Nigerian Breweries (NB) Plc., Hans Essaadi, has warned that alcohol consumption is not good for the health of pregnant women and their unborn babies.

He noted that alcohol consumption during pregnancy could affect the quality of life they would live.

The MD made this known in Iganmu, Lagos, during Maltina, Amstel Malta lead advocacy campaign on abstinence from alcohol during pregnancy entitled
‘Mission nine zero’ organised by Nigerian Breweries Plc.

He disclosed that the campaign initiative was introduced in line with Heineken’s vision of addressing pressing social and environmental challenges through its brew a better world (BaBW) strategy.

Essaadi explained that the campaign had become necessary to raise awareness among pregnant women about the dangers of consuming alcohol, which brings harm to unborn babies.

He said: “This campaign is not only focused on pregnant women but also a call to collective action against this growing societal concern”.

He stated that this year, the organisation has continued to consolidate our existing BaBW initiatives by introducing mission nine-zero, which is aimed at curbing the detrimental effects of alcohol misuse, notably among pregnant women.

“As we all know, children are the future, and the onus is therefore upon us to protect that future by ensuring we deliver healthy babies while safeguarding the health of their mothers,” he said.

The Corporate Affairs Director, Nigerian Breweries Plc, Sade Morgan, noted that studies have shown that there is a prevalent rate of alcohol abuse during pregnancy, with the South-West region accounting for 12.7 per cent while 59 per cent of pregnant women from South-South region consume alcohol.

She explained that the campaign engages 500 direct advocates and 50,000 pregnant women through its Amstel and Maltina brands.

She stated that despite obvious health issues such as low birth weight, preterm birth, and fetal alcohol spectrum disorder (FASD), some pregnant women consume alcohol owing to traditional beliefs and cultural sentiments.

In her remarks, the Chief Executive Officer, TL James Impact Consulting, Lola James, stated that the firm designed mission-nine zero to ensure pregnant women are increasingly aware of the grave implications of alcohol consumption during the period of pregnancy.

She stated that the campaign also empowers pregnant women, health workers and traditional birth attendants with the knowledge of the dangerous effects of alcohol consumption in pregnancy by making them ambassadors who will take the message to other pregnant women in different states of the federation.

Also speaking, the Representative of Health Stream Medi-care, Dr. Aderonke Alabi, disclosed that the initiative, which is meant to adopt a training-of-trainer model, has trained over 300 health workers in primary health centres and 300 pregnant women who visited the different primary health centres on the dangers of alcohol consumption during pregnancy.

Alabi revealed that alcohol use during pregnancy was capable of causing miscarriage, stillbirth, preterm birth, and sudden infant death syndrome.

Also speaking, Portfolio Manager, Non-Alcoholic Drinks, Nigerian Breweries Plc, Elohor Olumide-Awe, stressed that both Maltina and Amstel have chosen to identify with the campaign as they remain brands of choice that could add valued nutrients to both pregnant mothers and their unborn babies.

Olumide-Awe noted that Maltina and Amstel Malta are enriched with calcium, magnesium, and zinc that would aid healthy bones and ensure proper nerve functions.