New oral contraception introduced

Bayer Health Care in partnership with USAID, have introduced a new oral contraceptive; Microgynon Fe, on the Rwandan market.Microgynon Fe is one of the most globally used contraceptives and is being used by millions of women around the world and trusted by medics, according to Danny Mutembe, Chief Pharmacist and Deputy Director General of Pharmacie Conseil.He said that the introduction of the new contraceptive is going to provide Rwandan women with a reversible method that is easy to discontinue and has a rapid return to fertility.The introduction of the contraceptive is also meant to provide a wide range of choices for affordable family planning methods through the private sector, thus addressing the growing demand for contraceptives.Bernard Mutua, the Social Healthcare Programs Specialist of Bayer Healthcare, said Microgynon Fe is used in over 130 countries because it’s very safe and effective.“This contraceptive has proved to be very successful in all the other countries where it’s already being used like Uganda, Ethiopia and Tanzania. The Microgynon brand is the world’s most widely used oral contraceptive and it will therefore be of benefit to the Rwandan women in improving family planning,” he said.He added that besides quality, it’s also affordable as the recommended price is Rwf 620 and will be distributed to other pharmacies and medical facilities by Surgipham, Rwanda.According to Dennis Weller, USAID Mission Director, the private sector has an important role to play in contributing to sustainable development by ensuring women have access to a sustainable supply of quality, affordable oral contraceptives.He added that public-private partnerships are important in helping governments meet Millennium Development Goals.Dr. Thomas Nsengiyumva, a family planning expert in the Ministry of Health, said more women use modern family planning methods and the contraception rate in family planning was 45 percent in 2010. He added that the target is to increase contraceptive use to 70 percent by 2015 and also train at least three doctors and 10 nurses in each hospital on Family Planning issues.