Injectable contraceptive scheme launched by Health minister

Launching ‘Antara’ injectable, Vijaya Baskar asserted that the state came on top in the implementation of family welfare schemes, with a birth rate of 15.2 per 1000 population and the total fertility rate (TFR) of 1.6. 

TFR is the average number of children a woman bears in her lifetime. A single shot of this medroxyprogesterone acetate is effective for three months and will help meet the changing needs of couples and help women plan and space their pregnancies. 

“It is totally safe and highly effective for women including breastfeeding mothers aged between 18 and 45. Conception would be possible within 4 to 6 months after the last shot taken,” Vijaya Baskar said.  

The contraceptive is made available for free in Medical Colleges and District Hospitals at present, and would be administered by trained healthcare practitioners. 

Vijaya Baskar explained the initiatives under maternity and child welfare initiatives. He listed out male and female sterilisation surgeries, post-maternity female birth control device implant service, centchroman birth control pills supply, and medically assisted abortion scheme, among others as some of the state’s best initiatives. 

The minister observed that the State has a total of 13,882 health centres, including state-run and state-authorised private-run institutes, offering family welfare services.