The Gates Foundation is rolling out a new contraceptive in several African countries, including Kenya, that will prevent pregnancy for 8 years, making it the first contraceptive in the entire world to do so.
According to Anita Zaidi, President of the Gates Foundation’s Gender Equality Division, the foundation is rolling out the new hormonal IUD contraceptive in Kenya, Nigeria, and India.
A hormonal IUD is a long-acting, reversible contraceptive device that is inserted into the uterus and releases progestin, a synthetic hormone. The hormone thickens cervical mucus, preventing sperm from reaching and potentially fertilizing an egg, and can also prevent ovulation.
“A new hormonal IUD designed for affordability and a user-centered experience is being launched in Kenya, Nigeria, and possibly India,” Zaidi said.
However, the foundation is expected to roll out DMPA-SC, which is a self-injectable contraceptive, to more than 35 countries globally, including 8 in Africa, such as the Republic of the Congo, Madagascar, Malawi, Nigeria, Senegal, Uganda, and Zambia.
The initiatives, according to Zaidi, are part of the Gates Foundation’s $2.5 billion (Ksh324 billion) Commitment to elevate research and development exclusively focused on women’s health, across five areas, especially in low- and middle-income countries.
The five-priority areas, according to the foundation, include improving maternal health, including obstetric care, understanding gut health and nutrition, improving gynaecological and menstrual health, expanding contraceptive options, and addressing sexually transmitted infections in women.
“The commitment builds on the foundation’s 25-year legacy of work in maternal and child health, aiming to help end preventable deaths of mothers and babies, ensure the next generation grows up free from deadly infectious diseases, and lift millions out of poverty by 2045,” Zaidi said.
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