Free sterilisation for SA women

The surgical contraception was introduced in January and is currently offered at their Durban, Soweto, Pretoria and Gandhi Square clinics.

Marie Stopes spokesperson Laila Abbas said they offer the irreversible procedure to women who feel their family is complete.

"For medical reasons there are some exclusions. However, if the medical criteria are fulfilled, most women become eligible for this procedure," she said.

Abbas said the free project is funded with donations from Marie Stopes International. "Sterilisation uptake is very slow and waiting lists in government facilities are long. It seemed to be an ideal opportunity to provide a high-quality, essential service to satisfy the unmet need/demand."

She said before the procedure can be performed, women are given pre-counselling sessions as this is a permanent method of contraception. "The women need to be certain of their decision so that there are no regrets afterwards. We offer informative counselling," she said.

Abbas said she had not come across women who regretted their decision afterwards. She said if proper counselling is conducted, there should not be any regrets.

"If there are any doubts, then a woman should choose another contraceptive method for now and only do sterilisation when she is certain."

She said the procedure takes a few minutes, but a woman might need some time in the clinic to recover. Abbas emphasised that sterilisation is a woman's choice and only her consent is required.

However, she said it was advisable for women to discuss their decisions with their partners so that both understood and accepted the benefits of the procedure. "If the husband has strong objections they should look at other alternative methods," she said.

She said couples could opt for intra uterine contraceptive devices, which lasted for five years while they make decisions on the permanent method.

Abbas said if there were any further objections then the couple should meet their counsellor to discuss the issue.

• This article was originally published on page 5 of The Pretoria News on July 21, 2008

Source : Babynet