Are government health facilities restricting single women from accessing contraceptives?

KUALA LUMPUR — Does the Women, Family Development and Community Ministry have the power to override the Health Ministry when it comes to issuing contraceptives to unmarried women?

The question arose recently when a Reddit post went viral on Facebook, in which an anonymous woman shared her experience of getting contraception at the National Population and Family Development Board (LPPKN) clinic. 

She explained that she was there to get an intrauterine device (IUD), however, when staff members found out that she was single, she was refused treatment. 

A nurse from LPPKN Penang’s Klinik Nur Sejahtera in Bertam, who requested anonymity, told The Vibes that single women without medical conditions would normally not receive contraception in their facilities. 

"Usually, if it is a single woman who wants to access contraception, they must go through a counselling session with a doctor where she would be briefed on the medication. 

"But this would only be done if she needs the contraceptive medication due to health conditions, like acne and polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). If she's single without health conditions she can't get the treatment," she said. 

However, a senior medical officer with the Health Ministry confirmed to The Vibes that there are no such directives issued by the ministry. 

The doctor, who is attached to the Klinik Kesihatan Bingkor in Sabah, said all public health facilities should be able to provide contraceptives to any women, even those who are sexually active, regardless of their marital status. 

“All women in the reproductive age group, with the exception of minors, who are sexually active would be allowed to gain access to contraception,” he told The Vibes. 

The doctor explained that for underage women, the ministry instead refers them to the  ‘Kesihatan Remaja’ program, where teens would be educated on sexually transmitted diseases, abstinence, and safe sex practices. 

Attempts to get LPPKN for an official response was futile as of press time.

Single women still get turned away at public health facilities

While single women do have rights to access contraceptives in public health facilities, it is still common for them to get turned away by doctors, according to the Reproductive Rights Advocacy Alliance Malaysia (RRAAM) President Dr Subatra Jayaraj.

"It is very common for single women to get turned away from contraceptive services at government facilities.

“In fact, we actually have documented cases where single women in their 30s were asked to get parental consent for contraception,” Dr Subatra told The Vibes. 

One thing to consider when patients are refused services is the potential that doctors may be going against medical ethics. The Hippocratic Oath, which is a pledge taken by many doctors, says: ‘I will prevent disease whenever I can, for prevention is preferable to cure’. 

Do keep in mind, contraception does not only prevent pregnancies but also sexually transmitted diseases. 

“To refuse a patient is unethical and discriminatory. If you can choose whether to have braces, why can’t women choose whether to have contraception?

“My responsibility as a healthcare provider is to accept the patient and provide correct medical information to the client. It's the same for every medical procedure,” she explained. — The Vibes, October 20, 2020