Along with the rest of the world, World Population Day (WPD) was celebrated across the state on Thursday, under the theme “Healthy Timing & Spacing of Pregnancies for Wellbeing of Mother and Child”.
Jansankhya Samadhan Foundation: The Jansankhya Samadhan Foundation (JSF) Nagaland, in collaboration with Livingstone Foundation International (LFI), observed World Population Day (WPD) on July 11 at the LFI auditorium hall. The event was aimed to raise awareness about implications of overpopulation and the need for population control.
Addressing the gathering, JSF Nagaland General Secretary Jaangsillung Gonmei emphasized the importance of observing WPD to remind governments and citizens worldwide of the urgent need for population control. He highlighted that India, with a population of around 1.44 billion, and China, with 1.42 billion, face significant challenges due to their large populations. He further noted that India has been the most populous country in terms of population density per square kilometer for over 150 years, with a population density of 133 persons per square kilometer in 1955. He further noted that India accounts for 17.8% of the world’s population despite its relatively small landmass.
He later added that JSF was committed to addressing the risks of overpopulation and has been actively demanding that the government formulate a comprehensive population control plan. He warned that without immediate action, India could face severe problems within the next 20 years and urged all attendees and the Naga community to unite in controlling population growth.
Here, he however called for tribal areas and indigenous lands to be exempted from the two-child policy.
JSF Nagaland advisor, Dr. Roland, in his message, pointed out that Nagaland contributes approximately 0.58% to the national population.
Dwelling on the implementation of national two-child policy, he expressed concern that the policy should not consider the unique demographic challenges of Nagaland, and urged the state government to proactively seek exemption from this policy.
He also emphasized on the possibilities of ecological imbalance if the rapid growth of population remains the same across the country, noting that it could have dire consequences.
Meanwhile, JSF Nagaland president Tsasepi Sangtam reiterated that WPD promotes initiatives to address population related challenges.
Sangtam later mentioned that JSF submitted an 11-point memorandum July 11, 2022, advocating for the two child policy, however insisting that Northeastern states and tribal areas should be exempted due to their low population. He expressed hope that the bill would be moved by the end of the year. He later clarified that JSF is an apolitical and non-religious organization dedicated to addressing population issues and promoting sustainable development.
Earlier, the programme was chaired by general secretary (youth) JSF Nagaland, Imjung Watila Meren, invocation offered by state secretary (Youth) JSF Nagaland, Moala, and welcome address by patron, JSF Nagaland & chairman, LFI, Dr Andrew Ahoto. Special numbers were also delivered by students of LFI, and vote of thanks by vice president (Youth) JSF Nagaland, Jime Shiu. (Staff Reporter)
Dimapur: Dimapur observed WPD at UPHC Duncan Bosti, under the theme “Healthy Timing & Spacing of Pregnancies for Wellbeing of Mother and Child”. A press release by District Programme Management Unit (Dimapur), stated that MO UPHC Duncan Bosti, Dr. R. Chielie Jamir, sensitized participants on the importance of family planning, focusing on the theme.
She emphasized on at least three years gap to be kept between pregnancies adding that the gap would allow the mother’s body to recover fully, reduce risks of anemia, nutrient depletion and lower the risk of pregnancy complications, whilst adding that for the child, it improves chances of healthy developments, lower risk of birth defects and low birth weight. She further added that spacing also gives family the opportunity to give adequate care to existing children, allow financial planning and stability, and also reduces stress on family resources.
MO UPHC Duncan Bosti, Dr. B. Sashi Jamir, further sensitized on the effectiveness and simplicity of male vasectomy. He stressed on importance of responsibility sharing in family planning and also reduces burden of using short-term contraceptive methods for both partners. He further added that family planning was the responsibility of both partners and male participation would reduce burden on female partner.
The release added that MO i/c UPHC Duncan Bosti, Dr. Majasilui Kamei highlighted various compensation packages for accepting family planning, permanent and temporary methods. Phek: With the rest of the World, Phek also observed WPD at CMO Conference hall, Phek, with with Gynae and Obs DH Phek, Dr. Pangertemsu as resource person.
A press release by district media officer NHM Phek, stated that speaking on the theme Dr. Panger pointed out the impact of over population and main objectives of observing WPD to improve living standard by maintaining spacing of pregnancies and healthy timing, prevent unwanted pregnancies and decrease infant and maternal mortality rate by spreading awareness on family planning methods and its benefits. He also shared different methods of family planning available in the district and who can adopt it.
Dy CMO, Dr.MC Longai Phom, in his keynote address highlighted importance of birth spacing and its benefits and encouraged HCWs to spread awareness on the importance of family planning and its measures.
The release added that in all Health Units, basket of family planning services would be available and family planning camp would be conducted at DH from July 11 to 24. During this fortnight, it informed that ASHAs would be mobilizing beneficiaries to go for family planning and also carry out interpersonal communication session with eligible couple and share different methods of FP available in the district and its compensation.
Wokha: Wokha celebrated WPD at CMO Conference hall Wokha on July 11. A press release by Wokha CMO office stated that theme speaker, DPO (RCH/UIP) Wokha, Dr. Thungchanpeni Patton, said that as per Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Government of India, the theme emphasized on women empowerment to achieve population growth.
She informed on the types of family planning methods available in health centers and sought support of civil societies, line department and communities to promote family planning. Addressing the participants, ADC Wokha, K Furhesie Nyuwi highlighted on involvement of local factors in implementing such health programme. He said that the increasing population was a concern to everyone taking in to account the limited resources available in our state.
Delivering the welcome address, CMO Wokha Dr. Zubenthung Kikon expressed gratitude to ADC Wokha for gracing the occasion. He further informed that more family planning activities would be implemented in the days to come as part of WPD and stabilization fortnight in the district.
Peren: District Health Society, Peren, organised WPD at CMO Office Peren on July 11, with Dy.CMO Peren, Dr. Lanuakum as the resource person. A press release by CMO Office Peren, stated that the resource person highlighted on family planning as important for health of mother and her children, as well as family’s economic situation.
He also highlighted that during population stabilization fortnight from July 11 to 24, various family planning methods would be carried out, while free services like sterilization, IUCD, MPA and distribution of condoms, ECP, OCP, counseling and free distribution of IEC materials and activities would be carried out in all the health units and villages. The release added that free IEC materials were distributed during the observance.
Kohima: Kohima celebrated WPD day under the slogan “The New Identity of Vikshit Bharat, Family Planning the Pride of Every Couple” and under the theme “Healthy Timing & Spacing of Pregnancies for Wellbeing of Mother and Child” at CMO’s conference hall on July 11, along with District Health Society, Department of Health & Family Welfare NHM.
A press release by CMO office, Kohima, stated that DPO (RCH/UIP) Dr. Khrievilhou spoke on the importance of WPD and Population Stabilization Fortnight and also informed about the advocacy and awareness campaigns which would be carried out in all blocks and villages under Kohima, which also include exhibition of family planning methods, use of contraceptives and other spacing methods, need for delay in marriage and first child birth, counseling of clients on basket of choices and motivation of eligible couples for availing family planning services such as IUCD & PPIUCD Insertions, Condoms, Tubectomy and Vasectomy, including awareness on HIV/AIDS.
The release added that CMO, Kohima, Dr. Leamnyei Konyak, in his closing remarks said that WPD aims to raise awareness about global population issues and their impact on society. Konyak further dwelled on Saarthi on Wheels: Mission Parivar Vikas, under Family Planning objectives, to bring down the TFR to 2.1 by 2025, to provide access to quality family planning alternatives based on information, reliable services and supplies, to improve contraceptive access by delivering assured services, to spread awareness about use of contraceptives and family planning, to improve lives of people in need with large families by raising awareness on not increasing, to introduce injectable contraceptive methods at Sub-Centre level and to expand sterilization services through the family planning insurance scheme.
Longleng: District Health Society Longleng observed WPD and launching of population fortnight at CMO conference hall Longleng, with DC Longleng, Dharam Raj as special guest. A press release by media officer CMO office stated that the DC in his speech emphasized on birth spacing regarding family planning and gender equality and also shared on benefits and suggested measures to improve family planning in rural areas.
He also shared concern on lack of male involvement in family planning, causing much health complications to both mother and child. The DC further reminded the gathering on rising global population concerns and cited issues related to over population in our country and urged all health providers and frontline workers to create awareness and educate the public at the village level on family planning.
The release added that DPO (RCH/UIP), Dr. Imnameren Phom, delivering the key note address reiterated on the importance of observing the day and added that the day was celebrated to create awareness on how to manage family and sensitize people about issue of global population and importance of reproductive health.
He further urged health workers and attendees to encourage eligible couples to keep adequate spacing between two children for health of the mother and child, discourage teenage pregnancy till she attains the age of 20 and unplanned pregnancy.
Mon: “World Population Day” was observed in Mon at CMO conference hall on the theme “Healthy timing & spacing of pregnancies for well-being of mother and child”. At the event, Dy CMO, Dr Thomas Keppen shared the background and importance of establishing the world population day in the country. He said it was to address population related events or concerns like reproductive health, family planning, gender equality, sustainable development. He stated that the significance of the event is to foster discussions and raise awareness on the impact of population dynamicso, he requested all the staffs to refer into the objective of the programme and to work accordingly in the context based on the district looking at the scenario of their respective block/village.
A programme on population fortnight from July 11 to 24, at the block and village level on the slogan “The new identity of Vikshit Bharat, family planning the pride of every couple”.