HEALTH DEPARTMENT ENCOURAGES FAMILY PLANNING

By Kana Noka for FM100 NEWS

Family Planning contraceptive method has been highly encouraged by the health department for couples to take if they want to space pregnancies or reduce unwanted pregnancies.

Population & Family Health Manager Dr. Edward Waramin says in order to build a healthy family; couples must attend family planning programs and use contraceptive methods.

Papua New Guinea has been using what is available in the country in terms of family planning commodities (methods) which includes;
• Oral Contraceptive Pills (OCP)
• Depo Injection (1 injection for 3 months)
• Implant

The implant, according to Dr. Waramin is workable for prevention of pregnancies and has minor side effects, which specialist encourage using it with the same hormones but in a more scientific - based evidence way - that can be put under the skin which can last to at least 4 years.

The implant was introduced in Papua New Guinea in 2011 by Marie Stopes PNG (International NGO that largely supports Health Department) with their main focus on family planning.

Marie Stopes PNG Service Delivery Director Loretta Bele says since the inception of implant, they have trained over 500 health workers to confidently provide implant insertions and removals.

The workers are also trained to provide counseling, inform couples on expected changes and how to take care of themselves throughout the course of receiving the implant.