Young people in South Karelia may soon regain access to free contraceptives

Young people in South Karelia may soon regain access to free contraceptives. According to Sirkka Pennanen, the Director of Family Services, the issue is expected to come up for discussion in the South Karelia welfare region, especially following a recent report that found all other welfare regions offer free contraceptives to young people.

“I obviously cannot speak for the decision-makers or others, but I think this will be reconsidered here as well, especially since all the other regions have taken this step,” Pennanen stated.

However, Anneli Kiljunen, chairwoman of the South Karelia regional board, refrained from commenting on the status of free contraceptive availability as discussions are still ongoing.

A trial for free contraception was conducted in South Karelia in 2023 alongside many other regions, but it ended due to budget constraints. The welfare region aims to save over €20 million this year, with the contraceptives costing approximately €100,000 annually. Additional costs related to ordering and distribution have not been precisely estimated, according to Pennanen.

There is no legal obligation for welfare regions to provide free contraception. The decision to discontinue the program in South Karelia came before a thorough exploration of other regions’ policies. Notably, South Karelia had a lower incidence of abortions compared to the national average prior to the trial, which Pennanen stressed was not aimed at increasing the regional birth rate.

As of 2024, various welfare regions, including Lapland and South Ostrobothnia, will continue to offer free contraception to those under 25. However, South Karelia has opted out of providing any free contraceptive methods.