0
0
New Delhi, July 20, 2024 — In observance of World Population Day, Smt. Anupriya Patel, Union Minister of State for Health and Family Welfare, convened a crucial meeting with public health experts to discuss strategies for promoting healthy timing and spacing of pregnancies. The event, themed “Reaching the Last Mile for Ensuring Healthy Timing and Spacing between Pregnancies: Issues & Challenges,” underscored the importance of adequate birth spacing in improving maternal and child health outcomes.
Smt. Patel highlighted that well-spaced pregnancies can significantly reduce health risks and empower women and families to make informed choices about their reproductive health. “The Government’s commitment is evident in initiatives like the Pradhan Mantri Surakshit Matritva Abhiyan (PMSMA), Extended PMSMA, High-Risk Pregnancy identification in PMSMA, Anemia Mukt Bharat Abhiyan, and the Post-Partum Family Planning Programme,” she stated. These efforts have notably reduced maternal mortality from over 130 to 97 per 100,000 births.
Smt. Aradhana Patnaik, Additional Secretary and Mission Director (NHM), MoHFW, noted that India has achieved a Total Fertility Rate (TFR) of 2.0, with 31 states and union territories reaching replacement level. However, she emphasized the need for effective strategies in the five remaining states to bring TFR under replacement level.
The meeting featured notable health experts, including Dr. Kalpana Apte from the Family Planning Association of India, Dr. Saswati Das from UNFPA India, Dr. Chander Shekhar from the International Institute for Population Sciences, Ms. Moni Sinha Sagar from USAID India, Dr. Somesh Kumar from Jhpiego India, Prof. Sudha Prasad from Matritava Advanced IVF & Maternity Centre, and Dr. S.K. Sikdar, former advisor to MoHFW.
Discussions covered a wide range of topics, from the equal participation of men in family planning and the utilization of data in family planning services to global best practices and their applicability in India. Experts shared insights on expanding the contraceptive options, addressing traditional gender norms, and increasing male participation in family planning.
Prof. Sudha Prasad emphasized the need for providing comprehensive contraceptive options to reduce unwanted pregnancies and improve maternal health. Dr. Kalpana Apte highlighted the importance of male involvement in family planning and improving couple communication. Ms. Moni Sinha Sagar underscored the need for introducing newer contraceptives and addressing teenage pregnancies.
Dr. Somesh Kumar and Dr. Saswati Das shared global experiences, emphasizing service delivery, social and behavioral change, and creating an enabling environment for family planning. Dr. Chander Shekhar discussed geographic disparities and the unmet need for family planning among youth, while Dr. S.K. Sikdar highlighted the achievements and future activities of the National Family Planning Programme.
The meeting concluded with a unanimous agreement on the importance of equipping adolescents with accurate information about contraceptive options and improving accessibility to family planning services. Smt. Patel appreciated the experts’ commitment and outlined a roadmap for achieving desired outcomes through targeted family planning services, enhanced communication strategies, and frontline worker involvement.
Senior officials from the Union Health Ministry, including Smt. Meera Srivastava, JS (RCH), were also present at the meeting, reinforcing the Government’s dedication to improving maternal and child health through strategic family planning initiatives.
