Maharashtra is the first state of India to offer free injective contraceptive to females. The programme called as Antara was launched on 10th of July a day before the world population day. In the programme the injection of Medroxyprogesterone acetate (MPA) will be given to females which are a birth control hormone. The effect of the dose lasts for three months and is a safer way to control the birth rate.
The injections are made available for free at various public health centers of Maharashtra like, Mumbai, Raigad, Ahmednagar, Kolhapur, Sangli, Beed, Ratnagiri, Pune and Nandurbar. The whole programme will cover hospitals of 23 districts, 20 medical colleges and 12 hospitals made for females.
The injection must be used within a week from the day when menstrual cycle of a woman starts. It may be given to women with age ranging from 18 to 45 years.
However the specialists are also saying that side effects occurred by these injections, may or may not be cured.
