Dept to launch injectable contraceptive programme

Tribune News Service

Bathinda, February 18

Aimed at strengthening the family planning programme in the state, the Health Department is ready to launch an injectable contraceptive programme christened as ‘Antara’ from this year.

The injectable contraceptive DMPA (Depo medroxyprogesterone acetate) is highly effective as compared to birth control pills and would be available free of cost at all districts hospitals and health centres in the state.

To that effect, a training programme for core medical staff, including staff nurses, is under way at the state institute of health and family welfare in Amritsar and Chandigarh. The training began in January this year and likely to complete on the second week of March before the programme could be rolled out in April.

The injectable contraceptives need to be used within a week from the day a woman’s menstrual cycle begins. Unlike birth control pills that need to be taken on a daily basis, DMPA injectables (contraceptives) are administered after a gap of three months.

Varun Roojam, Mission Director, National Health Mission, Punjab, said, “These contraceptive injectables are highly effective, safer and most importantly the user do not have to face minimal complications as compare to copper T or pill based contraception. The training for doctors and health workers to administer and guide patients requiring the contraceptives would be completed in another 2-3 weeks after that the programme will be launched in all districts of the state. We shall be able to launch the programme in April this year but it may be delayed by a few weeks.”

As per health experts, the injectable contraceptive programme may bring down the maternal mortality rate and infant mortality rate in the state. The ‘Antara’ programme, an initiative of the Union Health Ministry, has already been launched in 10 states of the country.

Very effective 

The injectable contraceptive DMPA (Depo medroxy progesterone acetate) is highly effective as compared to birth control pills and would be available free of cost at all districts hospitals and health centres in the state.