NIGEL – The days of forgetting to take the birth control pill or missing an appointment for the next injection are over.
The new sub-dermal implant contraceptive is now available at the following primary health care facilities: Alra Park Clinic, Alra Park Extension 3 Clinic, Duduza Main Clinic, Simunye Clinic and Nigel Clinic.
Since the launch of the implant into public health facilities by health minister Aaron Motsoaledi in February, the Ekurhuleni Metropolitan Municipality (EMM) has trained 142 of its nurses to be competent in inserting the implant without supervision.
“Upon completing a short course, each trainee is required to practically insert five implants under supervision at a clinic before becoming accredited. This is to ensure that the staff member is competent and can implant independently,” said Zodwa Mabange, manager for maternal health, childcare and women’s health.
The contraceptive device, which is inserted underneath the skin on the inner side of a woman’s upper arm, has proven to be a popular method of contraceptive.
“Since we began with the rollout, we have received positive feedback from women and no cases of fatal side effects have been reported,” Mabange concluded.
