Dr. Kiran Sharif conducts a contraceptive procedure at the health facility.
Since September 2022, The Challenge Initiative (TCI) has been supporting the local government in Karachi Central to implement high-impact family planning (FP) interventions. One of the early challenges they faced was a critical shortage of Jadelle implants – a long-acting reversible contraceptive in high demand.
With just 100 implants allocated every three months, the Department of Health (DoH) struggled to meet the growing needs of women seeking these services. The problem was compounded by a lack of trained providers, leaving many women without access to essential care.
To help fill the gap, the DoH partnered with the Population Welfare Department (PWD), whose staff performed Jadelle insertions during Family Health Days. Still, due to limited supply, many clients had to be turned away.
Recognizing the urgency, TCI stepped in with technical support and facilitated postpartum family planning (PPFP) training at Karachi’s RTI Center. The training provided both theoretical knowledge and hands-on experience to doctors and Lady Health Visitors, equipping them to deliver Jadelle services. But while provider capacity improved, the supply shortage remained a major barrier.
TCI then helped strengthen coordination between DoH and PWD to improve the flow of information and contraceptive stock. This collaboration uncovered a key issue: the DoH was not properly filling out the CLR-6 form, a critical document for forecasting contraceptive needs. As a result, the district wasn’t receiving enough stock.
With coaching from TCI, the DoH began submitting timely, accurate reports. But as demand for Jadelle grew, the shortage extended to other Karachi districts. Even the PWD faced difficulties distributing enough implants to meet the rising need.
Through sustained advocacy and coordination, the situation began to shift. In February 2025, the DoH began receiving between 300 and 500 Jadelle implants per district – tripling or even quintupling earlier allocations. This marked a significant step forward in strengthening the supply chain and ensuring service continuity.
What began as a story of shortages and missed opportunities became one of resilience and collaboration. With support from TCI, and strong coordination between DoH and PWD, Karachi Central is now better equipped to meet women’s reproductive health needs – empowering them to make informed choices about their futures.
