DIMAPUR — World Population Day on the theme ‘Healthy timing and spacing of pregnancies for wellbeing of mother and child’ was celebrated at CMO conference hall, Wokha, on Thursday.
Dr. Thungchanpeni Patton, DPO (RCH/UIP) Wokha, the theme speaker of the event, said that, as per the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Government of India, the theme emphasises on women empowerment to achieve population growth, stated an update from CMO Wokha.
She informed on the types of family planning methods available in health centres and sought the support of civil societies, line department and communities to promote family planning. A short video on family planning activities in the district was screened by the district IEC team during the programme.
In his address, ADC of Wokha, K Furhesie Nyuwi highlighted on the involvement of local factors in implementing such health programmes. He said the increasing population is a concern to everyone, taking in to account the limited resources available in the state. Nyuwi also went on to state that the theme of World Population Day is the “best advocate and well balanced concept for our state.”
Earlier, the programme commenced with invocation by Zuchobeni Humtsoe, associate women leader of Wokha Town Baptist Church.
Delivering the welcome address, Dr. Zubenthung Kikon, chief medical officer of Wokha, informed that more family planning activities will be implemented in the days to come as part of World Population Day and Stabilisation Fortnight in the district.
The programme was chaired by Mhonbeni Ezung, DPM and vote of thanks delivered by Oponthung Kinghen, urban consultant, NUHM. The programme was attended by medical superintendent of district hospital, programme officers, medical officers, CHOs, urban ASHAs and medical staff.
Phek district also observed ‘World Population Day’ at CMO conference hall, Phek, with Dr. Pangertemsu, obstetrician and gynaecologist at Phek District Hospital, as the resource person.
Speaking on the theme ‘Healthy timing and spacing of pregnancies for wellbeing of mother and child,’ Dr.Pangertemsu pointed out the impact of over population and the main objectives of observing World Population Day every year, which is to improve living standard by maintaining spacing of pregnancies and healthy timing, to prevent unwanted pregnancies and decrease infant and maternal mortality rate by spreading awareness on family planning methods and their benefits.
He also shared the different methods of family planning available in the district.
Deputy CMO, Dr. MC Longai Phom, in his keynote address, highlighted the importance of birth spacing and its benefits. He encouraged the HCWs to spread awareness on the importance of family planning (FP) and its measures.
He also informed that in all the health units, family planning services would be available and family planning camp would be conducted at the district hospital from July 11 to the 24th.
During the fortnight, the ASHAs will be mobilising the beneficiaries to go for family planning, conduct interpersonal communication sessions with the eligible couples and share the different methods of FP available in the district.
The activities to be carried out include counselling to eligible couples, distribution of IEC materials and others.
Earlier, the programme was chaired by Sede Rupreo, DPM NHM.
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