MARTIN MAWAYA
GWERU—Uptake of Sayana Press contraceptives has surged in several Midlands districts, while Zvishavane has recorded the province’s highest condom distribution, according to Zimbabwe National Family Planning Council (ZNFPC) figures.
ZNFPC Midlands Provincial Monitoring and Evaluation officer Kudakwashe Mbedzi (pictured) said Gokwe South recorded 5 529 Sayana Press users in the third quarter of 2026, up from 1 666 during the same period last year.
Gokwe North recorded 3 722 users, compared with 808 in the corresponding quarter of 2025, while Mberengwa rose from 756 to 2 311.
Gweru’s figures increased from 285 to 1 666, while Kwekwe recorded a rise from 655 to 1 634.
Sayana Press is a three-month injectable contraceptive that can be self-administered following appropriate training by a qualified health worker.
It offers women greater privacy and convenience while reducing the need for frequent visits to health facilities.
However, Zvishavane recorded a decline in Sayana Press users, from 954 in the third quarter of 2025 to 848 during the same period this year.
Despite the decline, the district recorded the province’s highest condom distribution, with 391 344 condoms distributed in the third quarter of 2026, up from 190 409 in the preceding quarter.
The high distribution figures come against the background of Zvishavane’s mining activities and a significant student population at the Midlands State University campus.
Gweru followed with 296 760 condoms distributed, while Gokwe South recorded 227 537.
The figures highlight differences in contraceptive uptake across the province and the need to strengthen access to a range of family planning methods.
Condoms provide dual protection by helping prevent unintended pregnancies and reducing the risk of sexually transmitted infections, including HIV.
Mbedzi said improving access to contraceptives, integrating services, strengthening community outreach and removing barriers faced by adolescents and young people remained priorities for the province.
Since its introduction, Sayana Press has been promoted as a way of expanding access to contraception in remote and underserved communities.
“This will also lead to increased contraceptive access, enhance privacy, and require fewer clinic visits,” Mbedzi said.
For Midlands health authorities, the challenge is to sustain the gains while ensuring that residents across the province have access to reliable contraceptive supplies and the information needed to make informed reproductive health choices.
