ZIMBABWE could experience a spike in unwanted pregnancies
after being identi‑ ed as one of the countries that have closed some sexual
reproductive health facilities due to COVID-19 restrictions, the International
Planned Parenthood Federation (IPPF) has said.
A recent report by the IPPF said at least 100 family
planning facilities in some countries including Zimbabwe have been closed due
to lockdowns imposed by governments to contain the spread of COVID-19.
The closure could likely result in a hike in the number of
unintended pregnancies or sexually transmitted infections.
“Countries, particularly a ected by closures include
Pakistan, El Salvador, Zambia, Sudan, Colombia, Malaysia, Uganda, Ghana,
Germany, Zimbabwe and Sri Lanka,” the IPPF report read.
“All have reported more than 100 closures of clinics and or
community based service outlets. Dozens of IPPF’s members say they have been
forced to cut sexual and reproductive healthcare services as a result of COVID
19 restrictions.”
The organisation said individuals must have a choice on
whether to become pregnant through access to reproductive health facilities.
“Globally, the unmet need for contraception remains too
high. It is estimated that 214 million women and girls are not using modern
contraception despite wanting to avoid pregnancy. And this was before the
COVID-19 pandemic, which is derailing access to contraception.”
The IPPF said, for example, the world’s largest condom
producer – Malaysia Karex Bhd – which makes one in every five condoms globally,
was forced to close for a week in March and before only getting permission to
reopen at 50% capacity.
The IPPF also feels that the closures of borders and other
restrictions imposed in the face of COVID-19 further a ect the shipping
and distribution of commodities.
“Delays in the production and delivery of contraceptive
supplies at global and national levels will lead to
stock outs of supplies, severely impacting contraceptive
access,” the IPPF said.
The Zimbabwe Demographic Health Survey (2010/11) shares
that the bulk of family planning services in the country are o ered
through the public sector.
The private sector supplies the majority of injectables
(88%), female sterilisation (66%), and implants and oral contraceptives (74%)
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