Tendai Gukutikwa
Tendai Gukutikwa
Health Reporter
THE Zimbabwe National Family Planning Council (ZNFPC) on Monday provided the Mutasa community with free reproductive health services through an outreach programme held at Kukwanisa Vocational Training Centre.
During the outreach, the sayana press contraceptive garnered significant interest from women seeking safe and convenient family planning options.
The ZNFPC outreach programme offered a range of free reproductive health services, including the sayana press, a discreet and injectable contraceptive that is gaining popularity in the province.
Other available contraceptive options included the oral contraceptive pill, jadelle implants, depo-provera injections, and the highly sought-after sayana press.
ZNFPC provincial marketing and communications officer, Mr Daniel Maromo described the turnout as overwhelming, and hailed the community’s enthusiasm for embracing modern reproductive health solutions.
“We are thrilled with the response we received in Mutasa. Women were enthusiastic about sayana press, and we were pleasantly surprised by how quickly they adopted it. As we introduce this new contraceptive across the province, we are seeing growing uptake and interest,” said Mr Maromo.
Sayana press is a three-month contraceptive injection designed to empower women with greater control over their reproductive health.
Mr Maromo said the contraceptive offers numerous benefits.
“It is safe, effective, and discreet. Once trained by a healthcare professional, women can self-administer it at home, which is a game-changer for those in remote areas with limited access to clinics. Sayana press does not interfere with sexual activity, is safe for breastfeeding mothers after six weeks post-childbirth, and does not require a doctor’s prescription. It is available in pharmacies and certified by the Medicines Control Authority of Zimbabwe, like all our products,” he explained.
Mr Maromo noted that while sayana press is generally well-tolerated, users may experience mild side effects such as irregular bleeding, headaches, or weight gain.
“These side effects are not uncommon and often manageable. For many women, the convenience and privacy offered by this method outweigh the side effects,” he explained.
In addition to family planning services, the ZNFPC also provided free HIV and pregnancy tests and raised awareness about reproductive cancers.
Comprehensive educational sessions were conducted to educate both men and women about various reproductive health issues, including breast and cervical cancer in women, and penile and prostate cancer in men.
“We went beyond providing contraception by engaging the public on holistic reproductive health matters. Our outreach encompassed cancer awareness, voluntary counselling and testing, and sensitisation on short-term, long-term, and permanent family planning methods,” he said.
The outreach aimed to empower women while emphasising importance of male involvement in reproductive health decisions.
ZNFPC officials encouraged joint decision-making among couples regarding contraception and sexual health.
“We reminded men that supporting their partners’ health choices strengthens relationships and families. Empowering women cannot be done in isolation; men must understand the significance of safe and planned pregnancies,” Mr Maromo.
Many attendees, particularly women, expressed gratitude for the complimentary services and the opportunity to learn about newer family planning methods.
For people in rural area, where accessing clinics can be challenging, outreach programmes like this provide a vital link to lifesaving information and services.
Mrs Lydia Gombakomba, who received the sayana press, cited its privacy and convenience as key reasons for choosing this method.
“I had heard about sayana press from a friend, but I had not gathered courage to try it until now. I am glad I did. The nurse explained everything thoroughly, and I appreciate that I can self-administer the injection in the comfort of my own home without having to return to the clinic frequently,” she said.
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