Contraceptive distribution in Brazil

Brazil's 1st program for the community based distribution of contraceptives is successfully in 30 municipalities in Rio Grande do Norte, a state in Brazil's arid Northeast. Already, over 5000 women have been reached by the program, which is operated by the State Secretariat of Health with technical assistance provided by BEMFAM, and IPPF affiliate, under an agreement signed by the governor of Rio Grande do Norte and BEMFAM. In December, several newspapers reported that the program was in possible violation of a law prohibiting distribution of contraceptives without a prescription. After conferring with the secretary of health and local BEMFAM personnel in Rio Grande do Norte, Dr. Walter Rodrigues, executive director of BEMFAM, declared: "There has been no violation of the law for the simple reason that the program was carried out by the Public Health Secretariat's Department of Maternal and Child Care and under the responsibility of its own doctors." He added that BEMFAM had provided both training and technical assistance. According to Dr. Rodrigues, the matter arose when certain well known groups that oppose family planning took advantage of an opportunity to hinder the development of the program. He also pointed out that the nurses and midwives who dispense the pill obtain a prescription for their patients from a local doctor. Many mayors of the 150 municipalities in Rio Grande do Norte have requested the governor and secretary of health to start the program in their municipality. However, expansion of the new distribution program to additional areas will take place gradually as the number of trained personnel and resources increase. Brazil's President elect General Ernesto Geisel takes office in March. The new president, a Lutheran, will be the 1st Protestant to lead Brazil.

FPA disappointed in Great Britain

The Family Planning Association of Great Britain has released a statement on the role of family planning within the reorganized system of the National Health Service (NHS). The statement is critical of the limitations placed on availability of birth control means to NHS patients. It had been hoped that contraceptives would be free to all people covered by the NHS. The government, however, made the advice on family planning free to all, but the prescriptions and supplies would be given free only in cases of social or financial need or to women within 12 months after a birth or an abortion. Thus, the effect upon the decrease of the number of abortions and unplanned pregnancies will not be as great as it was hoped it would be if contraceptive means would be supplied freely.

Minnesota: PP unit may continue to provide contraceptives to most minors

Pending a full trial, Planned Parenthood of Minnesota may continue to provide minors with contraceptive information and supplies without parental consent unless a minor's parents specifically notify Planned Parenthood that they do not wish their child to receive such services, a Minnesota district court judge ruled on January 16. Maley, et al. v. Planned Parenthood of Minnesota, Inc., Minnesota District Court, Third Judicial District, File No. 37769. 6 couples brought a class action suit against Planned Parenthood on behalf of all Minnesota parents of unemancipated minors to enjoin Planned Parenthood from providing contraceptive services to minors without parental consent. A 1971 law permits a minor to consent to medical treatment if he or she is living apart from and financially independent of his or her parents, is married, or has borne a child and in an emergency. In addition, any minor may consent to diagnosis and treatment of "pregnancy and conditions associated therewith" and venereal disease.

Arkansas: State supports availability of contraceptives to all persons

With Governor Dale Bumpers' approval on March 7, Arkansas formally adopted as a state policy the availability of "all medically acceptable contraceptive procedures, supplies and information ... through legally recognized channels to each and every person desirous of the same regardless of sex, race, age, income, number of children, marital status, citizenship or motive (Act 235, Laws 1973)." The new law further declares that the dissemination of contraceptive information in state and county health and welfare departments, in medical facilities, and at institutions of higher learning is consistent with the state's public policy. The newly enacted bill, sponsored by Representative Boyce Alford, specifically gives any persone 18 and older the authority to consent to voluntary sterilization. Persons under 18 may also consent to the operation if they are married. It gives any institution, doctor, or pharmacist the right to refuse to furnish contraceptive information or supplies and it does not require them to refer the patient elsewhere for services. The bill passed the legislature by votes of 62-0 in the House on February 7 and 26-1 in the Senate on February 20.

Free contraceptives in Great Britain

An amendment to the National Health Service (NHS) Bill has been submitted to the Parliament of Great Britain recommending free contraception within the NHS. Free contraceptive pills and devices for both men and women who would desire them, would cut down the number of unwanted pregnancies and would decrease the number of abortions presently performed under the Abortion Law of 1969. Many doctors resent the legalization of abortion since the patients seeking abortions crowd the hospitals and take away the physician's time and hospital bed availability from patients with diseases needing immediate attention. Also, a great number of young girls undergo abortions, the consequent trauma of which endangers their future emotional and physical health. Prevention rather than termination of pregnancy would be more desirable. Besides there is a need for population control. Parliament will most likely act favorably on this proposed amendment.