UNFPA Donates Contraceptive Methods to MoHW 

The United Nations Population Fund, the United Nations sexual and reproductive health agency, today handed over “contraceptive methods and also equipment for the insertion and removal of intrauterine devices (IUDs)” to the Ministry of Health and Wellness.

UNFPA Program Officer, Mackeva Westby Neal, told News Five, “Today, we are very excited to be presenting to the Ministry of Health and Wellness a donation within the framework of our ongoing project, The Leave No One Behind Reduction of Adolescent Pregnancy Project.” She explained that the regional project spans three years, with each year incorporating a component specifically aimed at procuring essential sexual and reproductive health (SRH) commodities. “Today is the outcome of year one of that project component. We are very excited to present this to the Ministry of Health as well as to strengthen the partnership,” she said. Westby Neal said this aligns with UNFPA’s mandate with that of the Ministry, which seeks to ensure zero maternal deaths, address unmet needs for family planning, and bolster SRH services and access to necessary commodities.

The donation includes a range of SRH items such as implants, intrauterine devices (IUDs), condoms, and instruments for vaginal health. Westby Neal noted that the Ministry would manage the distribution of these supplies across the country. “For this project, we are targeting three districts: Belize, Stann Creek, and Toledo. The distribution plan is integrated to serve these areas,” she explained.

Dr. Natalia Beer, Technical Advisor for Maternal and Child Health, told News Five, “We have injectables, pills, condoms—both male and female—and intrauterine devices. We are also getting implants; they’ve already been paid for and should arrive by next month,” she explained. According to her, implants and injectables are the most popular methods among users.

Dr. Beer also mentioned the availability of permanent contraceptive options. “We have definitive contraceptive methods, like tubal ligation for women and vasectomy for men, which are surgical procedures typically chosen after a woman has satisfied parity,” she noted.

When addressing the role of contraceptives in reducing adolescent pregnancies, Dr. Beer emphasised their accessibility at all health facilities. “These products help reduce maternal mortality, teenage pregnancy, and unplanned pregnancies. We also have postpartum contraception, where every woman who delivers in a hospital receives counselling and, if they agree, leaves with a contraceptive method,” she said.

Long-acting reversible contraceptives (LARCs), such as implants, are promoted over daily options like pills due to their convenience and efficacy.