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Guidelines for
Administration of
Emergency Contraceptive
Pills for Medical Officers
Introduction to Guidelines for Administration of
Emergency Contraceptive Pills for Medical Officers
The National Population Policy 2000 states the
achievement of reduction of maternal mortality and of replacement fertility
levels by 2010 as two of its goals. Meeting the unmet needs of reproductive
health services is one of the operational strategies. The Policy recognises
the quality of services as a critical determinant of acceptance and sustained
use of contraceptive services.
The decision of the Department of Family Welfare,
Ministry of Health and Family Welfare to introduce the Emergency
Contraceptive Pills in the family welfare programme will contribute to
achieving the National Population Policy goals listed earlier. The emergency
contraceptive pills will help to prevent an unwanted pregnancy, thus meeting
a need that warrants 'emergency' action. Prevention of an unwanted' pregnancy
will help to reduce the number of maternal deaths from unsafe abortions and
to reduce fertility level. However, the Department recognises the fact that
the real success of this service is the acceptance of a regular contraceptive
to prevent future pregnancies. The quality of care provided during the
contact for emergency contraception is a major determinant of the subsequent
use of contraception.
The Guidelines for Administration of Emergency
Contraception Pills for Medical Officers has been developed to provide basic
minimum, standards, essential for assuring quality of care. Quality services
provided will not only help to prevent an unwanted pregnancy in the current
context, but also in the future through regular use of contraception.
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