A total of 120 midwives and public health nurses islandwide recently completed training in contraceptive forecasting, which was provided by the National Family Planning Board (NFPB).

The training was recommended in the Contraceptive Logistics Management Information Systems Survey Report, which stipulated the need for healthcare professionals to be engaged in contraceptive forecasting methodologies to facilitate accurate predictions in order to alleviate commodity shortages or “stock-outs”.

The report was drafted following surveys conducted in 2013 and 2015 that indicated the need for training.

The NFPB’s Director, Monitoring, Evaluation and Research, Tazhmoye Crawford, said the training, which commenced during the first quarter of the 2017/18 fiscal year, concluded on August 11.

According to the NFPB, the exercise has led to notable improvements in record-keeping, storage and forecasting methodologies, and significant reductions in the incidence of contraceptive stock-out or shortages in health centres islandwide.

Just under two years ago, reports surfaced of a shortage of contraceptive commodities at some of the island’s government-run health clinics.

Studies have cautioned that a consequence of stock-outs is an increase in sexually transmitted infections and unplanned pregnancies.

As an accompaniment to the training process and for system strengthening of contraceptive management at the clinic and parish levels, the NFPB has also revised and standardised a family planning register and contraceptive logbook for islandwide distribution, documentation, and monitoring of contraceptive use.

Contributed, JIS