Bhubaneswar:22/8/17: In a bid to invigorate the planned family concept, Odisha health and family welfare department today launched a programme called the Injectable Contraceptive which is also called as Antara Programme.
In the launching ceremony of Antara Programme Commissioner-cum-Secretary to Govt. of Odisha, H & FW Dept. Dr. P.K Meherda, Dy. Commissioner – FP Division, Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Government of India, Dr. S.K Sikdar, Commissioner-cum-Mission Director, NHM, Odisha, Smt Shalini Pandit, Director of Family Welfare, Odisha, Dr. Binod Kumar Mishra were present.
Speaking on the launching ceremony of Antara Programme, Dr. P.K Meherda said, this contraceptive is highly effective, very convenient, tested and tried as a very safe method of family planning and is in use more than 130 countries around the world. It will also help women who are not able to convince their partners to use contraceptives.
Dr. Binod Kumar Mishra, Director, family welfare mentioned that quality of services is of high importance to the department and preparatory activities to roll out injectable have been completed. This includes, orientation of district teams, roll out action plans and training of counselors. United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) is providing technical support in rolling out the injectables in the state which also procured supplies for the country.