A new long-term reversible family planning method, which will be inserted into a mother's uterus in the first 48 hours after delivery, has been introduced in the country.

 

According to the assistant commissioner in charge of Reproductive health at the Ministry of Health, Dr Placid Mihayo, the new birth control method will help Uganda to reduce the un-met need for family planning which stands at 34 per cent and planned to be cut to 10 per cent by 2020.

 

"Un-met need are those mothers who want to space their children by at least three years but can't get a method to use. We feel that if we increased methods of contraception they can have a chance to space their children," said Dr Mihayo.

 

He was speaking during a function to recognise midwives who have been trained to administer the new birth control method in Mubende District last week.

 

Launched by United Nations Population Fund and Jhpiego, an affiliate of Johns Hopkins University, USA, the postpartum intrauterine device (PPIUD) can prevent a mother from getting pregnant for a maximum of 12 years.

 

"This intervention takes only minutes to complete and can offer a woman more than three years of protection from pregnancy," Ms Emily Katarikawe, the Jhpiego country director, said.

 

She added that more than 160 health workers, 18 tutors and 18 preceptors have been equipped with skills and are providing services in 114 heath facilities and midwifery institutions. Sr Agili Aligawesa, the Mubende hospital principal nursing officer, noted however, that an expectant mother has to be counselled before contraceptives and implants are given to them.

 

Click Here For PDF- Workshop on Comprehensive Postpartum Family Planning Care 

-Source: JHPIEGO

 

The Monitor 

Uganda