BKKBN likely to introduce emergency contraceptive pills<\/p>\n
Fitri Wulandari, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta<\/p>\n
The government is considering the possibility of introducing
\nthe emergency contraceptive pill (ECP) to help prevent the high
\nprevalence of unwanted pregnancies due to rape or contraceptive
\nfailure, an official of the National Family Planning Board
\n(BKKBN) said on Tuesday.<\/p>\n
Siswanto Agus Wilopo, BKKBN's deputy for family planning and
\nreproductive health, said that he was in the process of seeking
\napproval from religious and community groups for the introduction
\nof the pill.<\/p>\n
Siswanto said that unwanted pregnancies had become a serious
\nproblem that hindered the implementation of the national family
\nplanning program.<\/p>\n
\"Unwanted pregnancy frequently leads to abortion,\" he told The
\nJakarta Post.<\/p>\n
Also dubbed the 'morning after pill', the ECP is effective as
\na contraceptive if it is taken by someone within 72 hours after
\nhaving unprotected sexual intercourse, he said.<\/p>\n
But ECP is intended only for 'emergency' cases such as
\ncontraceptive failure or rape, he stressed.<\/p>\n
According to Siswanto, the government has allowed the use of
\nECP in East Timorese refugee camps in West Nusa Tenggara where
\nthere in a high level of unwanted pregnancies.<\/p>\n
The ECP has been recommended by a consortium of foreign donors
\n-- the World Bank, the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA),
\nthe World Health Organization (WHO), the Program for Appropriate
\nTechnology for Health (PATH) and the Population Council.<\/p>\n
Siswanto said that in Europe and the United States the ECP is
\ndistributed through special clinics such as women's crisis
\ncenters, but under strict prescription.<\/p>\n
\"The ECP has undergone clinical tests and the results are
\ngood. But in order for it to be marketed in Indonesia, we need a
\ngreen light, particularly from religious and community leaders,
\nincluding from Indonesian Ulemas Council (MUI),\" Siswanto said.<\/p>\n
He said that the government had signed the 1994 agreement of
\nthe International Conference on Population and Development
\n(ICPD), which states that family planning policies should respect
\nthe various religious and ethical values, cultural backgrounds
\nand philosophical conviction of its people.<\/p>\n
Siswanto is aware that many people fear that ECP would
\nencourage sexual permissiveness, including premarital sex, which
\nis still widely unacceptable in Indonesia.<\/p>\n
Moreover, he said, young mothers might switch from the usual
\ncontraceptive pill, which has to be taken daily, to ECP for
\nreasons of convenience.<\/p>\n
The ECP contains a high amount of progesterone which might be
\nhazardous for health if consumed continuously over a long period,
\nhe said.<\/p>\n
\"Indonesian consumers frequently prefer simple things without
\nconsidering the effect on their health. In addition, Indonesians
\nhave poor knowledge about contraceptives,\" Siswanto said.<\/p>\n
He added that the government will carefully promote the ECP so
\nas to prevent the consumers from abusing it.<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/bkkbn-likely-to-introduce-emergency-contraceptive-pills-1447893297",
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"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
"sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com"
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