Over 31k 'Antara' contraceptive users in 2017-18 from Rajasthan

Injectable contraceptive 'Antara', that prevents pregnancy for three months, was adopted by over 31,000 women in Rajasthan in the year 2017-18, the highest in the country, state Health Minister Kalicharan Saraf said today.

The minister said nearly 18,000 'Antara Injectable' doses were given in the current financial year, adding the injectable is being made available free of cost at all government health facilities in the state.

"The total fertility rate which was 2.9 as per Sample Registration Survey-2012 has reduced to 2.4 as per the National Family Health Survey (NFHS)-4," he said at an event organised to observe World Population Day here.

Saraf also launched 'AntaraRaj', an innovative web-based application which will help in tracking utilisation of services at various health centres and sending reminders to users so that drop-out can be minimised.

"It is the first of its kind web-based application in the country which will generate management information system report, list of users and drop-out and alert ASHAs and ANMs for following up and reminding the users," Saraf said.

He said the maternal mortality rate (MMR) has significantly reduced in the state in the last few years.

"The MMR, which was 244 as per SRS-2013, is now 199 as per SRS -2016.Institutional delivery was recorded 84 per cent as per NFHS-4 in the state," he added.

The minister also awarded the top six performing districts in the field of family planning. Ajmer, Kota and Baran were given Rs 15 lakh, Rs 12 lakh and Rs 10 lakh, respectively, for their excellent work, whereas Bhilwara, Alwar and Tonk were given Rs 5 lakh each.