Injectable contraceptive does well in Tamil Nadu

Stating that it has received wide acceptance from across the state, an official said that women are surprisingly open to the idea of the contraceptive injections. 

“It received a red-carpet welcome in Tamil Nadu and is available at all Medical College Hospitals,” said Dr P Banu, Director, Department of Family Welfare. The regular contraceptives must be consumed daily, while the injectable contraceptives are administered once in three months. 

“It is an intramuscular injection and needs to be taken every three months. Though it costs around Rs 300 to Rs 350, it is being given for free in all the government hospitals,” she stated, adding, “Women are very sceptical about taking the tablets on a regular basis. When they learnt about the injection, they showed interest. There were many women who to hospitals, enquiring about the injections.” 

Stating that it was very difficult to tackle many women who were against the consumption of the daily contraceptive pills, a health official said, “We were able to convince may. 

Till now, 50 per cent of the initial stock — which consisted of over 21,000 injections — is over.  We have therefore requested for one lakh more injections, which we are hoping to receive within the next week. Besides, we have also introduced another concept — safe abortion techniques,” she added. 

Under this initiative, the Intrauterine pregnancy will be diagnosed and the woman will be immediately given the Medical Management of Abortion (MMA) kit, which is worth Rs 600, said Dr Banu, adding, “9,000 MMA kits have been distributed across Tamil Nadu.”