Papua New Guinea’s government plans to distribute a cheaper, long-lasting and more effective female contraceptive.
The Sino-Implant is composed of two thin, flexible, silicone rods, each containing 75mg of levonorgestrel (a synthetic form of the hormone progestin). The size of a match stick, it is inserted under the skin of a woman’s arm by a trained health care provider and is effective for four years.
Sino-Implant is currently being delivered by a family planning non-government organisation, Marie Stopes, in just a few provinces. It has been distributed to sexually active 18 year olds and those who are 19 years old and above.
Its success has the government planning to make it available nation-wide within a few months.
According to reproductive health specialists, when the contraceptive is administered, it takes effect after seven days. It can be removed any time and fertility can be regained thereafter.
Maries Stopes has advised that these contraceptives do not protect against HIV and AIDS.
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