Usher Says Women’s Voices Must Lead Contraceptive Access Debate

The ongoing national discussion surrounding access to contraceptives has now drawn comment from Fort George Area Representative Henry Charles Usher, following the Ministry of Health and Wellness’ recent announcement that certain contraceptive drugs will now require mandatory prescriptions.  The policy shift has sparked public debate this week, with concerns raised about access, affordability, and the broader implications for women’s reproductive health rights across the country.  Speaking on the issue, Usher indicated that, so far, he has not received direct feedback from constituents in his division regarding the change. Usher added that while he may not yet have all the details, he intends to be guided by the voices and concerns of women, emphasizing that their rights and perspectives must remain central in any discussion on reproductive health policies.

Henry Charles Usher, Minister of Public Service: “When it comes to reproductive rights I don’t think any man is in a position to be able to comment on that. We play a very small minor role when it comes to the reproductive process so I will be guided by what the women of this country are saying and that is my only thing I can say about that. I have seen the complaints generally, I’ve seen the complaints online and again going back I think there could have been better communication. I think that there could have been more consultation on this matter before it is being implemented. I know that from the Ministry of Health’s perspective it’s something that they have been working on try to get more of the laws that affect pharmaceuticals implemented. I do think that there are too many areas that pharmaceuticals it’s too open, it’s too broad but in this particular area I am no expert and I cannot comment on that. I am happy to see that the Ministry of Heath has taken a step back and has acknowledged that there are issues that perhaps they did not anticipate and they could have anticipated beforehand and so you are seeing more dialogue, more communication among the different organizations that are representing women in this particular regard. So those issues I think that the Minister of Health and the Ministry of Health the technical persons in that ministry would be better able to answer as like I said I am in no position I am guided by what the women of this country are saying.”

The Ministry of Health and Wellness has conceded to not doing proper consultations on these reinforcements and has begun meeting with relative agencies and stakeholders./