Department steps up reproductive health campaign

IN AN effort to raise awareness and highlight the importance of contraception, planned pregnancy and receiving timely and good quality antenatal care the department of health is observing reproductive health month.

The theme for this year, globally, is “adolescent girls and young women”, which relates to the department’s “She Conquers” campaign.

The department wants to reduce unplanned pregnancies among adolescent girls and young women.

“In 2014, the department introduced sub-dermal implants, which are very effective at preventing pregnancy.

“To date 800 000 women have inserted sub-dermal implants, and now they are reminded to visit their nearest clinics to have the implants removed and replaced with a new one because their lifespan is only three years,” the department said.

For those who are pregnant or planning a pregnancy, the department urges mothers to start their babies’ lives on a good note by monitoring their own health.

“On the basis of the guidance from the World Health Organisation, the department has decided that as from 1 April 2017, pregnant women will be advised to visit their clinics eight times during their pregnancy in order to receive close monitoring of their health and of their unborn babies,” it said. Some tips from the department include:

● Pregnant women are urged to register with MomConnect on their cellphones, for free, to receive regular tips on antenatal care and safe pregnancy; and

● Partners and families are urged to support women during pregnancy and beyond.

MomConnect is a health initiative aimed at enabling women to engage with the health system through technology. Dial *134*550# from a cellphone to register. — siyab@dispatch.co.za