World Population Day observed in city; Concern over people’s aversion to oral contraceptive pills, family planning
SHILLONG: With the 2011 Census showing a population growth of 27 per cent, the State needs to act fast as far as sensitizing people on the adverse effects of population explosion is concerned.
This was observed by Parliamentary Secretary in charge Agriculture, Food Civil Supplies & Consumer Affairs, Celestine Lyngdoh, who was addressing a gathering on the last day of the fortnight long observation of World Population Day. The event held under the theme, “Take Responsibility, Make Plans”, culminated with the state level advocacy meeting on World Population Day at U Soso Tham Auditorium here on Monday.
“The rise in population demands a strong mechanism to sensitize people on the adverse effects of population explosion in relation to food security, employment, health issues, human rights and others,” Lyngdoh said while lamenting the fact that the use of oral contraceptive pill (OCP) and family planning methods are still considered a taboo in some parts of the State.
He added that time was ripe for the Health department to chalk out a friendly and positive approach on how to deal with population explosion.
“The department needs to make concerted efforts to reach out to the targeted population, particularly the youth and people of child bearing age through several interventions launched by the Central and State governments,” he said.
“There has been a projection that that by 2030, India will become the most populous country in the world surpassing China… Therefore, it is a shared responsibility of each citizen to ensure that schemes and programmes relating to family planning introduced by the government are being implemented in right earnest,” Lyngdoh said.
He also informed that the United Nations and Government of India are spending huge amount of money to educate and empower people, especially the youth, on the importance of family planning through knowledge and comprehensive health reproduction system.
Also present on the occasion were Secretary, Heath and Family Welfare, K W Marbaniang, Dr. W Kharkrang, Director of Health Services (MCH&FW), Director of Health Services (MI), Director of Health Services (R) and other senior officers and staff of Health and Family Welfare Department.
The programme was organised by the National Health Mission, Meghalaya in collaboration with Directorate of Health Services (MCH & FW), Government of Meghalaya.
O the occasion, awards were distributed to Mylliem C & RD Block and East Khasi Hills for being the ‘Best Performing Block’ and ‘Best Performing District’ respectively for their success in encouraging people to adopt family planning methods. Lyngdoh also released a documentary film entitled “Role of Asha in the Health Care of the Community & About National Health Mission Entitlements” on the occasion.
World Population day is an annual event, observed on July 11 every year, which seeks to raise awareness of global population issues.