Free contraceptives given to 160k women in first nine months of last year

Advocates call for scheme to be extended to all women of reproductive age

Last year, 8,467 contraceptive implants were dispensed, 5,018 contraceptive injections, and 4,097 vaginal rings, according to Department of health figures.

More than 160,000 young women received free contraceptive products between January and September last year as the State’s programme rolled out.

While advocates and health workers welcomed the radical scheme, they have called for it to be extended to all women of reproductive age, not only those aged 17 to 31, as of January 1.