Soon, women can get injectable contraceptives at govt hospitals

The Heallth and Family Welfare department is all set to introduce injectable contraceptives for women in the government hospitals by February end.

So far, the state has had oral contraceptive measures and intrauterine contraceptive device (IUCD) for those opting family planning. The new injectable contraceptive ‘Antara’ would be made available free of cost at all government hospitals and family planning centres across the state.

Dr Rajkumar N, deputy director (Maternal Health), Health and Family Welfare department said that the injectable contraceptive would give a spacing of three months and is considered the most effective contraceptive.

“In 90% of the families, it is the woman who does the family planning and takes measures accordingly. Once a woman is given an injectable, she will not have to be on medication constantly. It is injected intramuscularly,” he added.

The injectable drug helps in having a healthy spacing between children, which would in turn reduce both infant and maternal mortality. “It takes three years for a woman’s body to regain essential nutrients and energy for a second pregnancy. Also, there has to be a gap of six months between an abortion and pregnancy,” Dr Rajkumar explained. With women being forced to opt out of contraception in several families where myths are prevalent, they are inevitably put at a the risk of abortion, an official said. “At times when women in rural areas are not allowed to adopt other contraceptive measures, injectable can be chosen as it can be kept confidential from the family,” he added.

Obstetrician and gynaecologist Dr Kamini Rao emphasised the need for counselling women before prescribing the injection. “There may be a little bit of weight gain as well which could go up to four kilos a year. It is best for lactating women as well,” she added.