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The Rhodesia Herald, 

January 16, 1969 

THE birth rate in Bulawayo’s townships dropped from 24,8 to 20,8 a thousand in a year because of family planning promotion by the City Council’s health department.  

The acting Medical Officer of Health, Dr D. Kotze, reporting to the Health and Welfare Committee, said a more individual approach in efforts to educate in family planning had been successful. 

It had been found that African women were receptive to family planning, but the men were far less so. 

Because of this, and to try to out a more individual approach, it was decided that municipal health assistants should visit African fathers of babies born at the township maternity units. 

Dr Kotze said visits were made after hours and during week-ends to homes after the fathers had shown their willingness to discuss the subject. 

Family planning talks, supported by visual aids, had been given by the health education officer, the African health assistants and nursing assistants at all the township clinics. 

“In addition, talks have been given to selected groups of personnel, such as the police, the upper echelons of the African municipal employees and the Council’s Coloured employees. “Talks have been given to a multitude of work-seekers at Khami Road clinic and to many factory employees.” 

Dr Kotze said individual guidance was given by the nursing staff to mothers attending township ante- and post-natal clinics. 

“In this way a very great number of people have been made aware of the meaning of family planning and the facilities available at all department’s clinics.” 

In one month visits to homes showed that out of 75 consent forms delivered to fathers, 36 were returned to the clinics – 11 declined advice and 25 requested it. 

The principle of family planning was accepted by 19 fathers, and 11 were reporting to clinics for family planning requisites in response to the house visits. 

Lessons for today 

The World Health Organisation defines family planning as “the ability of individuals and couples to anticipate and attain their desired number of children and the spacing and timing of their births. It is achieved through use of contraceptive methods and the treatment of involuntary infertility”. 

Practicing family planning helps parents to plan their families as it reduces chances of unwanted pregnancies. It also helps to curb the spread of Sexually Transmitted Diseases, which reduces the rate of infertility. 

On a personal level family planning helps women to have greater say and control of their reproductive health and also gives them room to pursue their education, businesses and careers. 

Investing in family planning is also seen as a way of achieving five Sustainable Development Goal whose themes are People, Planet, Prosperity, Peace, and Partnership.