Closing the Gap: Ensuring Access to and Quality of Contraceptive Implant Removal Services is Essential to Rights-based Contraceptive Care

Abstract

The use of the subdermal contraceptive implant is increasing globally, and particularly so in lower- and middle-income countries in sub-Saharan Africa. For initiation or discontinuation of the implant, users need to have access to services for insertion and removal by healthcare providers. Providing access to safe and effective contraceptive implant removal services presents both clinical and programmatic challenges. The most challenging implant removal cases, termed ―difficult removals‖, place additional demands upon removal services. In this commentary, we outline challenges for the provision of removal services. Based on our experience in this field, we make  recommendations on how healthcare providers and health services can plan for these challenges. Through  maximising the provision of comprehensive and accessible implant removal services, including those for difficult  removals, implant users can be empowered to discontinue their use of this method of contraception if they choose, thus upholding the principles of rights-based contraceptive care.

Keywords: Contraception, contraceptive implant, implant removal, difficult implant removal