Philemon Jambaya
There have been reports of contraceptive pills that are being smuggled from Zambia to Zimbabwe and flood the streets of the capital, Harare with health officials saying women should be cautious when using them because it’s not clear what they contain.
Some women have reported serious side effects, including heavy bleeding after using the contraceptive pills.
Melinda Gwatidzo is pregnant and has a two-year-old baby that she leaves at home as she goes to school because she fears that people might laugh at her because the children, sired by different fathers, are so close to each other in terms of age.
Gwatidzo, 23, is a student at one of the universities in the country and had no plans to have another child so soon. A friend introduced her to a contraceptive that was being peddled in Harare’s Avenues area.
The pill, Gwatidzo was told, could be taken just once each month and the vendor claimed the pill had no side effects.
But it didn’t work for long. After two months, Gwatidzo experienced heavy bleeding, forcing her to stop taking the pill.
The pills, which are marketed as herbal contraceptives, are a popular option for Zimbabwean women seeking non-hormonal contraceptives. Most women who have taken them say they cause heavy bleeding. Health experts warn that side effects are difficult to treat because the exact contents of the pills are unknown and additional information on the pills is hard to get.
Once-a-month contraceptive pills have been used in some countries since the 1960s. Now, most clinics that purport to sell herbal medicine in Lusaka stock the pills. Each pill goes for 20 Zambian kwacha, which is close to US$2.
The pills are resold in Zimbabwe at cost between US$4 and US$6.
It’s not clear how the pills get into Zimbabwe, or when they were first used in the country.
Medicines Control Authority of Zimbabwe Public Relations Officer, Davison Kaiyo contraceptives have not been approved for use in Zimbabwe.
“We will investigate the issue. Anyone found to be contravening the laws that govern the handling of medicines will be prosecuted.
“It is not advisable to buy medicines from the streets as these may cause serious problems.
“The problems may emanate from the fact that these products are likely sub-standard and falsified products that may have been smuggled illegally into the country. There are possibilities that the products may end up exposing you to adverse drug reactions and may not even work as intended.
“Moreover, the storage conditions of these products on the streets are not controlled and therefore may end up exposing the medicines to adverse environmental conditions which ultimately affect their quality.
“The medicines subsequently affect the health of the end user,” he said.
Runodada WitnesssZim Now ReporterThe City of Gweru is facing mounting criticism for its continued silence regarding the payment of December salaries to its employees. Workers are expressing growing ..
ZimbabweZim Now WriterNorton-based premier league debutants MWOS FC are gearing up for a thrilling season in the top flight, fueled by the expertise of their coach, Lloyd Mutasa, and a rigorous preseason pr..
ZimbabweZim Now WriterHarare, Zimbabwe – The air crackled with anticipation at Prince Edward School on Thursday morning as the Mighty Warriors, Zimbabwe's beloved women's national football team, showcased t..
Zimbabwe
Leave Comments