BHUBANESWAR: IN a bid to strengthen the family planning programme in Odisha, the State Government on Tuesday launched injectable contraceptive for women under Antara Programme.
The injectable contraceptive to be taken only once in every three months is now available at Government Medical College and Hospitals, District Headquarters Hospitals (DHHS) and Sub-Divisional Hospitals (SDHs) free of cost.
Launching the contraceptive, Health and Family Welfare Department Secretary Dr Pramod Kumar Meherda said, the contraceptive is highly effective, convenient, tested and tried as a very safe method of family planning in more than 130 countries around the world.
“The contraceptive will be available up to the sub-centre level in the second phase. It will also help women who are not able to convince their partners to use contraceptives and bring down the spacing percentage. It can be safely used in postpartum or lactation period and are highly effective with few side effects,” he said.
Speaking on the occasion, Deputy Commissioner (FP Division) of Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare Dr SK Sikdar said, Odisha is the ninth State to introduce the injectable contraceptive Medroxyprogesterone acetate (MPA) which is a birth-control hormone.
Sikdar said, to monitor the programme a web-based tracking system has been developed on the lines of Odisha, which was the first State to introduce an SMS-based contraceptive logistic management information system.
United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), which also procured supplies for the country, is providing technical support in rolling out the injectable in the State. Among others, NHM Director Shalini Pandit and Director (family welfare) Dr BK Mishra also spoke.