Public health institutions in South Africa are lacking in birth control supplies. Contraceptive stock-outs made up 40% of all reported pharmaceutical stock-outs, according to a 2022 independent investigation by the Ritshidze project, a community-led clinic monitoring initiative.
According to the Rural Doctors Association of South Africa, there is a significant possibility of an unintended pregnancy.
Information on depleting birth control stocks was obtained from 400 primary healthcare clinics in South Africa, according to Dr. Indira Govender, a member of the Rural Doctors Association of South Africa.
“Our project, The Stop Stockout, has been receiving reports of these contraceptive stock-outs particularly the Depo injection, the hormonal injection given to women every two to three months. The implications of this are that the power of choice is gone. We have some data from 2017 that shows that the contract with the supplier was terminated and that has resulted in disruptions. However, thereafter there has not been any communication from the Department of Health to explain what the reason is for this, “ explains Govender
“Many healthcare workers when there was a shortage of contraceptives would recommend an alternative method which of course is not an unreasonable response from a healthcare worker who wants to do the best for their patient. We know that women who cannot get access to contraceptives may need to negotiate condom usage and we know that South Africa has high rates of gender-based violence so those negotiations might be difficult, ” said Claire Waterhouse, Doctors Without Borders Regional Advocacy Coordinator
The majority of South Africans believe that the reproductive health of women and families is at risk if birth control stocks are not met.
Thando Cuba and Amanda Magazi, both of Johannesburg, think the Department of Health should concentrate its efforts on making sure there are enough supplies throughout the nation’s public health care institutions.
“ This shortage affects me as well because it means that my partner and I could have an unwanted pregnancy. In reality, without access to free family planning, it will cost us financially if we now will need to go buy from the chemist. We can’t afford that,” said Cuba
“ The birth control stock shortage is not good at all because girls these days fall pregnant at a young age. You find that these young girls are still at school. The birth control shortage will also cause these young girls to drop out of school,” explains Magazi
South Africa’s department of health responded to inquiries about the birth control shortage with an official statement saying they are not aware of any supply issues and that the supply plan indicates that suppliers have enough stock to satisfy demand.
