World Population Day observed in Nagaland also marked the launched of Population Stabilisation Fortnight from July 11 to the 24th
DIMAPUR — Various districts in Nagaland observed World Population Day on Tuesday on the theme “On the occasion of Azadi ka Amrit Mohatsav, Let us pledge to adopt small family planning as a choice for happiness and prosperity.” The day also marked the launched of Population Stabilisation Fortnight from July 11 to the 24th.
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Kohima: Kohima observed World Population Day in the conference hall of the chief medical officer (CMO), which was chaired by DPM, Avikali Jakhalu.
On the occasion, the DPO (RCH/UIP) spoke on the importance of World Population Day and Population Stabilisation Fortnight. He informed that advocacy and awareness campaigns would be carried out in all the blocks and villages under Kohima district during the fortnight.
The activities would include exhibition on family planning methods such as use of contraceptives and other spacing methods, need for delay in marriage and first child birth, counseling of clients on the basket of choices and motivation of eligible couples for availing family planning services such as IUCD and PPIUCD insertions, condoms, tubectomy and vasectomy including awareness on HIV/AIDS.
He added that focus group discussion would be carried out in selected health units to observe population fortnight as basket of family planning services including distribution of pamphlets, leaflets and putting up of banners and posters at prominent places in line with new family planning media campaign.
In her closing remarks, the CMO of Kohima, Dr. Tumchobeni, stressed on the importance of observing world population stabilisation fortnight by mobilising and carrying out intensive awareness. She further urged the healthcare providers and frontline workers to be prompt in carrying out the activities.
Dimapur: Dimapur district observed World Population Day at Urban Primary health Centre (UPHC) in Burma Camp.
Speaking on the occasion, the medical officer of UPHC Burma Camp, Dr. Chamzai Newmai, stated that the main objective of the day was to create awareness on several issues relating to global population including poverty, gender inequality, family planning, human rights and maternal health. She stated that everyone deserves fresh air to breath, enough land to live and healthy food to eat which cannot be possible without controlling the growing population.
Vilito Chophy, staff nurse at UPHC, stated that India was the first country in the world to initiate family planning programme in 1952, which has undergone transformation in terms of policy and actual programme implementation. She added that there has been gradual shift from clinical approach to the reproductive child health approach.
She further stated that technological advances, improved quality and coverage for healthcare have resulted in a rapid fall in the crude birth rate, total fertility rate and growth rate.
Also speaking on the occasion, the deputy CMO of Dimapur, Dr. Antoly Suu, has underlined the importance of marrying at the right age, maintaining appropriate spacing between children and availing family planning services in managing a family. As per the United Nation, she stated that this year was focus on gender equality. It would emphasised on female equality, healthcare, education, and reproductive rights.
Peren: Peren district observe World Population Day at the office of the chief medical officer (CMO) with Dr. Supongmenla Walling, DPO (RCH & UIP), as the resource person.
Speaking on the occasion, Dr. Walling has emphasised on the importance of family planning for the health of a mother and her children as well as the family’s economic condition. Since parents are responsible for providing education, shelter, clothing and food for their children, she stated that family planning has an important long-term impact on the financial situation of any family.
She also informed on ‘Mobilisation fortnight,’ which was observed from June 27 to July 10 for creating awareness on population control and generating demand for family planning.
She further stated that various family planning methods such as sterilisation, IUCD, MPA and distribution of condoms, ECP, OCP, counseling and free distribution of IEC materials would be carried out in all the health units and villages during the population stabilisation fortnight.
Phek: Phek district observed World Population Day at the CMO office, wherein the population stabilisation fortnight was launched by the CMO of Phek, Dr. Khriezotuo Paphino.
Dr. Paphino informed that World Population Day is observed in two phases namely mobilisation fortnight from June 27 to July 10 and population stabilisation fortnight from July 11 to the 24th. He added that various family planning activities such as counseling to eligible couples, distribution of condoms, OCP and IEC materials, insertion of CU-T, lap ligation and vasectomy permanent method for women and men would be carried out in all the health units during the fortnight.
Dr. K Pewezo Khalo, DPO RCH/UIP, informed that permanent family planning services for men and women would be done at District Hospital, while temporary family planning methods such as Copper-t, condom, oral contraceptive, PPIUCD, IUCD-380A and 375 services would be available in all the delivery points. He also shared that district IEC personnel would carrying out awareness on wheels in far-flung areas.
Wokha: Wokha division of Health department observed World Population Day in the conference hall of the chief medical officer (CMO).
Delivering the keynote address, Dr. Thungchangpeni Patton, DPO (UIP/RCH), has stressed on the importance of church and community platforms to conduct information, education and communication (IEC) activities on family planning and also encouraged the ASHA to counsel eligible couples during the fortnight activity.
The theme speaker, Dr. Benchumi Humtsoe, Obs & Gynae at District Hospital, Wokha, has attributed the dramatic population growth largely to increasing numbers of people surviving till reproductive age, rapid urbanisation and accelerating migration. Dr. Benchumi also highlighted on the importance of sexual and reproductive health education.
She concluded her speech by reminding the attendees that family planning is not about contraceptives but planning for the present and future.
Longleng: District Health Society, Longleng, observed World Population Day-cum-launch of World Population Stabilisation Fortnight in the conference hall of the CMO’s office with Meyazungba Jamir, SDO of Longleng, as the special guest.
Delivering the keynote address, Dr. Imnameren Phom, DPO (UIP/RCH), stated that the day is observed to draw the attention of the public on the importance of population issues and the need to curb them. He has advised to avoid teenage pregnancy, spacing of minimum two years between the first and second child and unplanned pregnancy.
On the occasion, Meyazungba Jamir has emphasised that family planning is important for the health of a mother and her children as well as the family’s economic condition. He also appealed to all to take the responsibility in creating awareness on the importance of family planning, adoption, gender equality, poverty and maternal health and women’s rights.
The programme was followed with a review meeting on family planning activities 2022-2023.
