GOVERNMENT has not started re-administering Depo-Provera, an injectable contraceptive, in public health institutions until a report from manufacturers is received from the United States.
Women who started flocking to health centres after Health Minister, Brian Chituwo announced in Parliament that the contraceptive was safe, were being turned away.
Health ministry spokesperson, Canisius Banda, said in an interview yesterday that advice would soon be given to the recipients of Depo-Provera immediately a report from the manufacturers was received.
Dr Banda said in the meantime, clients were advised to consult the health care providers on what family planning options were freely available in public health facilities.
He said a thorough research by the ministry of Health found Depo-Provera safe and directives to resume the provision of the contraceptive was awaiting the report by the manufacturers.
The ministry of Health had earlier withdrawn Depo-Provera on suspicion that the drug contained traces of the HIV virus.
But Dr Chituwo had reassured the nation that scientific investigations had not shown any traces of the virus.
He emphasised that Depo-Provera was withdrawn from health institutions and quarantined pending the completion of scientific investigations and a report from the suppliers of the product.
Some women on Depo- Provera contraceptive in Ndola expressed unhappiness that they were being turned away at health care centres due to the unavailability of the contraceptive.
Some women spoken to said the health care providers told them that Depo-Provera was currently unavailable and they were being encouraged to use other contraceptives.
They said they did not understand why the contraceptive was unavailable and wondered whether its unavailability confirmed earlier suspicions that it was not safe.
Most women said they preferred Depo-Provera as a method of family planning because it was an injectible contraceptive as the other available contraceptives were orally taken.
Ndola District Health Management Team director, Kakungo Simpungwe, confirmed that the contraceptive was currently not available at the health care centres.
Dr Simpungwe said the health care providers were not turning the women away but were offering them alternative contraceptives.
She said her office was not aware of any complaints by the public but still urged the clients to take the available contraceptives in order not to disturb their family planning until Depo-Provera was available.
[Times of Zambia]
If the research conducted by MOH revealed that the contraceptive is safe, why wait for the report from the manufacturers? What is the report supposed to say?
There is no smoke without fire.It is foolish to wait for a report from a manufacturer over something you have already tested.usually you ask for a report when standards are compromised.let us be alert,the hiv virus we are fighting against was created in labs by americans,russians have acknowledged that.What can stop them from contaminating the drug,zambians let us learn to be economically independent before human haters get rid of us
But pa zed yaliba bad!
If+the+research+conducted+by+MOH++revealed+that+the+contraceptive+is+safe,+why+wait+for+the+report+from+the+manufacturers%3F+What+is+the+report+supposed+to+say%3F
I agree with #2, Melvin, Zambia should draw strong developmental plans and stand on its own feet in many respects. There is need for increased investment in the research and technological development. There should be a culture of patriotism on the part of govt to is brings sanity to our own laboratories in colleges and universities. I will even propose the idea of preferential Govt. bursaries in certain fields particularly sciences. The West (America & Europe) has developed because of building national capacities through research and development.
Gntlemen,the HIV virus can not survive in Depo-provera.If anything minister Chituwo was wrong to alarm the situation.The issue was wrongly handled.I wish to concur with #5.Zambia lacks behind in scientific research coz the GOVT priorities have been misplaced.Take foristance the issue of DNA testing.This technology has helped solve numerous cases in the west and if introduced in zambia a lot of unsolved cases can be determined.
# 2 ARE ARE CORRECT, WHAT IS THE MEANING OF THIS SILENCE. IF THE MOH HAS PROVED THAT THE ALLEGATION WAS WRONG, THEN CONTINUE USING THEM.
I AM YET TO SEE OR HEAR A MANUFACTURER WHO WRITE A REPORT AGAINST HIS PRODUCT, I HAVE NEVER SEEN. EVERY MANUFACTURER PROMOTES HIS PRODUCT,EVEN WHEN HE KNOWS THAT HE IS LYING, HE MAINTAINS THAT LIE,& LATER IMPROVE HIS PRODUCT. SO WHAT RE WE TRYING TO HIDE?
THE QUESTION AT HAND IS, HAVE THE MOH REALLY PROVED THAT DEPO-PROVERA IS SAFE FOR USE, OR NOT? AND ALSO WHY IS IT STILL ON HOLD? WE HAVE TO BE ASSURED PLEASE. WE SHOULD NOT WAIT FOR A WHITE MAN TO TELL US, HAVE SELF CONFIDENCE, WE HAVE QUALIFIED LABOUR IN MOH. PLEASE WORK ACCORDINGLY. TELL US OFF
NATURAL contraceptive ILI CHE!!
THATS WHY NATURAL contraceptive ILI CHE!!
Why not resort to other types of contraceptives. There no smoke without fire
#6 don’t you trust your wife?