----------------------------------------------------------------------- Documented by Goa Desc Documentation Service & circulated by Goa Civic & Consumer Action Network (GOA CAN)<[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Ph:2252660 ----------------------------------------------------------------------- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------- New contraceptive pill sparks debate in medical fraternity ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Introduction of the new emergency contraceptive pill (ECP) by the government, has created a flutter in a section of the medical fraternity. With all major objectives of family planning (as outlined by the government of India) have already been achieved, the very relevance of this pill has come under scrutiny, with doctors indicating that ECP was likely to promote pre-marital sex.
As part of the family planning programme, the Goa government, in keeping with the national programme will soon be introducing the new ECP which is to be taken within 72 hours of unprotected sex. Although health officials aver that this is a reflection of the need of today's society, there is a fear present in their minds that this would promote pre-marital relations.
"The government is providing safe services, otherwise people will resort to unsafe methods", says an official at the Secretariat. He however, concedes that it might lead to pre-marital sex.This pill prevents a fertilised egg from getting attached to the uterine wall, and thus stops the progression of pregnancy. It is thus much more convenient than other post conception techniques.
Governent officials are firm that this pill will not be sold over the counter, but will be available only on medical supervision. It will be available at the primary health centres and the rural medical dispensaries, where there are doctors.
The Goa Medical College has been conducting a pilot study on this pill for some months now, a source at the GMC complex said.Stocks of this pill will soon arrive at the Directorate of Health Services. It will be made available to the public after the medical staff are trained with regards to its medication.
According to statistics of the Directorate of Health Services, the figures of those engaging in artificial family planning methods have remained more or less steady over the last five years. People opting for temporary family planning measures far outweigh those opting for permanent methods.
In case of sterilisation in women, the number of sterilisations carried out from 1998-99 to 2002-03 fluctuated between 4347 in 1998 and 5224 in the year ending 2003. According to the medical practitioners, sterilisation in men accounts for an additional one per cent. However, these figures are not available.
According to one doctor, it is the women who opt for sterilisation rather than have the man undergo the operation."Women given the choice will prefer to be sterilised. There is a fear in the mind of the woman that the men will lose their virility, if sterilised", the doctor said.
Statistics show that the number of users of intra uterine devices (IUD) remain more or less steady over the years, from 2764 in 1998-1999 to 2777 in 2002-2003.
The years 1999 to 2002 saw a jump in the users of condoms, which peaked in the year 2000-01 to 16,172 in contrast to the 9336 in 1998-99.
However, '02-03 saw a drop to 9364 from 14,921 in the previous year. This could be compensated by the oral pill suddenly increasing in popularity. While in '02-03 oral pills had only 3776 users, this figure shot up to 6213 in 2002-03. ------------------------------------ HERALD 16/6/03 page 1 ------------------------------------
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