Success Story: Jadelle Implant in DRC

The implant was added to the existing range of modern methods in FY2011, thanks to USAID funding. Distribution of the Jadelle implant was organized within the 133 clinics of the Confiance network after training funded by the Dutch SALIN project and approval by the DRC's Ministry of Health. The Jadelle implant was made available to women of reproductive age through family planning social franchising, providing a sustained solution for family planning. Angelique, a resident of Ndjili, one of the most populous areas of Kinshasa, was one of the beneficiaries of the Jadelle implant. She had previously used the 3-month injectable, but was looking for a more reliable solution due to closely spaced pregnancies. Angelique's husband, Jacques, was also in favor of the implant, as it eliminated the need for regular injections. Angelique visited the Bomoi health center, one of the Confiance clinics supported by USAID, where she received counseling and had the implant inserted in her forearm by a trained service provider. The implant was provided by Association de Santé Familiale (ASF), a partner of Population Services International (PSI), with USAID/DRC's stock. Since receiving the implant, Angelique has been able to space her children and has become an advocate for the implant, encouraging her friends to use the method. The Jadelle implant has been shown to be an effective family planning method, with 1,308 women benefiting from the method in the project area. The implant has also been promoted through community outreach and education, with Angelique and other beneficiaries sharing their experiences with others. The success of the Jadelle implant in the DRC is attributed to the collaboration between USAID, the Confiance social franchising network, and local partners, which has made the method accessible to women in need. The introduction of the Jadelle implant in the DRC has had a positive impact on the lives of women like Angelique, who have been able to space their children and improve their overall well-being. The project will continue to distribute, promote, and insert the implant until September 2013, with the goal of increasing access to family planning methods for women in the DRC.