By: Natasha Archary

The Gauteng Department of Health has confirmed a shortage of contraceptive implants in the province which is going to impact thousands of women.
While the Department says there are other alternatives available, the DA’s Shadow MEC for Health in Gauteng, Jack Bloom says it is unfortunate that because of a supplier failure, thousands of women will now have to do without their preferred long-range contraceptive method.
Bloom says the Subdermal Implanon, is a small plastic rod that is inserted under the skin and releases a synthetic hormone which prevents pregnancy for up to 3-years.
Only 2000 of these contraceptive implants were received, despite the Department requiring 31 000 of the devices.
That is a shortfall of 29 000 contraceptive implants for the first three months of this year.
“Gauteng Health MEC, Nomantu Nkomo-Ralehoko said patients received information and were counselled on alternative contraception methods.
No other shortages, such as contraceptive tablets and injections were noted for January last year, and there are no current shortages of any type of contraceptives except for condoms.
Thousands of women in Gauteng lost out on a popular contraceptive device when the province was hit with a shortage of 29000 contraceptive implants for the first three months of this year.”
The contraceptive implants shortage comes after the Gauteng Department of Health noted a shortage in both male and female condoms in April 2023.
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