1.0Action Research and Training for Healthhttps://www.arth.inadminhttps://www.arth.in/index.php/author/admin/rich600338<blockquote class="wp-embedded-content" data-secret="Iw1ntD9vxu"><a href="https://www.arth.in/index.php/2025/04/15/arth-launches-mukti-2016-onwards/">ARTH launches Mukti (2016 onwards)</a></blockquote><iframe sandbox="allow-scripts" security="restricted" src="https://www.arth.in/index.php/2025/04/15/arth-launches-mukti-2016-onwards/embed/#?secret=Iw1ntD9vxu" width="600" height="338" title="“ARTH launches Mukti (2016 onwards)” — Action Research and Training for Health" data-secret="Iw1ntD9vxu" frameborder="0" marginwidth="0" marginheight="0" scrolling="no" class="wp-embedded-content"></iframe><script> /*! This file is auto-generated */ !function(d,l){"use strict";l.querySelector&&d.addEventListener&&"undefined"!=typeof URL&&(d.wp=d.wp||{},d.wp.receiveEmbedMessage||(d.wp.receiveEmbedMessage=function(e){var t=e.data;if((t||t.secret||t.message||t.value)&&!/[^a-zA-Z0-9]/.test(t.secret)){for(var s,r,n,a=l.querySelectorAll('iframe[data-secret="'+t.secret+'"]'),o=l.querySelectorAll('blockquote[data-secret="'+t.secret+'"]'),c=new RegExp("^https?:$","i"),i=0;i<o.length;i++)o[i].style.display="none";for(i=0;i<a.length;i++)s=a[i],e.source===s.contentWindow&&(s.removeAttribute("style"),"height"===t.message?(1e3<(r=parseInt(t.value,10))?r=1e3:~~r<200&&(r=200),s.height=r):"link"===t.message&&(r=new URL(s.getAttribute("src")),n=new URL(t.value),c.test(n.protocol))&&n.host===r.host&&l.activeElement===s&&(d.top.location.href=t.value))}},d.addEventListener("message",d.wp.receiveEmbedMessage,!1),l.addEventListener("DOMContentLoaded",function(){for(var e,t,s=l.querySelectorAll("iframe.wp-embedded-content"),r=0;r<s.length;r++)(t=(e=s[r]).getAttribute("data-secret"))||(t=Math.random().toString(36).substring(2,12),e.src+="#?secret="+t,e.setAttribute("data-secret",t)),e.contentWindow.postMessage({message:"ready",secret:t},"*")},!1)))}(window,document); //# sourceURL=https://www.arth.in/wp-includes/js/wp-embed.min.js </script> https://www.arth.in/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/IMG-20230309-WA0083-1.jpg1280721In June 2016, ARTH launched “Mukti”, a long acting reversible contraceptive (LARC) for women of low economic status in a population of 200,000 in Udaipur city and in villages of three blocks of southern Rajasthan. Mukti was introduced as part of the Taruni intervention which addressed the reproductive health needs of the young women in Udaipur & Rajsamand districts. The contraceptive is a hormone impregnated intra-uterine device that however contains no copper, but instead continuously releases a calibrated dose of progesterone hormone for 7 years. Hence the Mukti “Levonorgestrel Intrauterine System” prevents pregnancy for up to 7 years.  The great advantage of Mukti is that it significantly reduces menstrual blood loss, hence women suffering from heavy menstrual bleeding can get relief from the same. Besides, women adopting Mukti are expected to suffer less anemia because of reduced blood loss. Women of the area (encouraged by some doctors and other health providers) commonly but erroneously believe that heavy menstrual bleeding could be a warning of cancer. Hence after they have had children, older (30 years and above) women are often persuaded to undergo hysterectomy (removal of the uterus) for heavy bleeding. In such a situation, Mukti can offer a non-surgical solution by reducing excessive menstrual bleeding without requiring removal of the uterus. The new contraceptive is available in the commercial market for Rs 3500 to Rs 5000, which however is too high for poor communities. Hence Mukti was introduced at a subsidized cost of Rs 499 for poorer women. Mukti is available after screening by a gynecologist as required, at three ARTH Health Centres located at Lakmavaton ka Guda (district Rajsamand), Iswal and Suawaton ka Guda (district Udaipur).  In order to generate awareness about Mukti, ARTH has undertaken an outdoor and print media campaign. In addition, community health entrepreneurs (Taruni Sakhis) stationed in ARTH’s intervention areas have been engaged to create awareness among the low income women. During a recent visit by 6 Members of Parliament to observe ARTH’s family planning interventions, MPs evinced considerable interest in this new contraceptive. The new contraceptive particularly addresses the need for the low income women of Southern Rajasthan, which is known for anemia related issues. We hope that as a long acting reversible contraceptive that help the low income rural and urban women to space and/or limit births, and also avert the need for hysterectomy for some women. As of March 2025, 3,372 women have got Mukti inserted at ARTH’s health centres.