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New Delhi, July 11, 2024 – On World Population Day, Union Minister of Health and Family Welfare, Shri Jagat Prakash Nadda, chaired a virtual discussion on family planning and population control with representatives from various States and Union Territories. The session was also attended by the Minister of State for Health and Family Welfare, Smt. Anupriya Patel.
Shri Nadda emphasized the importance of collaboration between the Centre and the States to ensure women can exercise their right to family planning and are not burdened by unwanted pregnancies. He highlighted the need to meet the unmet demands for contraceptives, especially in high-burden areas. “The objective of the family planning program needs to be ‘Birth by choice and by informed choice’,” he stated, reinforcing the theme of the event, “Healthy timing & spacing of pregnancies for the wellbeing of mother and child.”
In his address, Shri Nadda stressed that India, home to one-fifth of the global population, must reaffirm its commitment to population stabilization. He linked the health of Indian families to the broader goal of a “Viksit Bharat” (Developed India), advocating for smaller families to ensure better health outcomes.
Smt. Anupriya Patel underscored that over 65% of India’s population is in the reproductive age group, making it crucial to provide them with family planning choices to prevent unplanned family growth. She highlighted the evolution of the family planning program from a two-phase to a three-phase initiative, incorporating preparatory phases, community participation, and service delivery. She praised the success of the “Mission Parivar Vikas” (MPV), which has expanded from 146 high-priority districts to over 340, noting a significant increase in the acceptance of modern contraceptives, now at over 56%.
Shri Nadda commended the work of healthcare and frontline workers, crediting them for significant improvements in maternal, infant, and under-five mortality rates. He stressed the importance of maintaining low Total Fertility Rate (TFR) in states that have achieved it and working towards this goal in other states. “We should also create a strategy based on states’ inputs and NFHS data to focus on those areas where TFR has not improved,” he added.
During the event, the innovative Family Planning Display Model “Sugam” was unveiled. Designed for use by family planning service providers, “Sugam” aims to generate awareness about family planning, promote equal participation of men and women, and emphasize the importance of planned parenthood. New IEC materials, radio spots, and jingles on family planning were also launched.
The virtual event saw participation from Principal Secretaries of Health and Mission Directors from various states and UTs, who shared their experiences and challenges in providing family planning services. Noteworthy initiatives such as the “Saas Bahu Sammelan” from Jharkhand and Uttar Pradesh and the “Antara Day” from Telangana were highlighted.
Union Health Secretary Shri Apurva Chandra, AS & MD (NHM) Smt. Aradhana Patnaik, and other senior officials and public health experts participated in the event, reflecting a unified commitment to advancing family planning and reproductive health across the nation.
