Female condoms relaunched in Central Region

The Central Regional Health Directorate has re-launched female condoms at Akatakyiwa,  a community in the Mfantsiman West Municipality, to protect users against unwanted pregnancies and sexually transmitted diseases (STDs).

Madam Margaret Forson, Regional Deputy Director of Nursing Services in charge of Public Health, who launched the product, said abortion is killing a lot of women and contributing to the high maternal mortality rate.

She said patronage of female condoms is very low, explaining that only 30 per cent of women in the Region practice family planning.

Madam Forson said with the introduction of the female condoms women who are not comfortable with the other family planning methods could protect themselves.

The condoms are available at all chemical shops at the cost of 30 pesewas each.

Madam Forson said if women in their reproductive age should embrace family planning, abortion deaths would be brought to the barest minimum.

Dr John Eleeza, Medical Director in charge of Public Health of the Regional Health Administration expressed concern that the area has the highest number of teenage pregnancies as well as HIV and AIDS cases.

He said the condom therefore gives women the opportunity to prevent STDs and unwanted pregnancies.

The chief of Akatakyiwa, Nana Poma Kwadua XVIII said teenage pregnancies abound in the town and appealed to the health directorate to train peer educators to sensitise the youth to help minimise the menace.

Source: GNA