SHILLONG/NONGPOH: The need to have spacing method after the first delivery was highlighted during the observation of World Population Day under the theme ‘A New Wave, A new Belief, Families prosper with Total Responsibility’ on Tuesday at Mawphlang PHC under Mawphlang C&RD Block.
The meeting was to focus on the need to create awareness on the importance of population stabilisation of the country at a level consistent with the requirement of national economy.
The World Population Day 2017 is being observed for over a month comprising mobilisation fortnight from June 27 to July 10 and population stabilisation fortnight from July 11 to 24.
During the fortnight, various activities will be conducted in all health centres like showing films, posters and advocating the need for population stabilisation.
Stalls for counselling, use of contraceptive and other birth spacing methods, need for delay in marriage and first child birth will be displayed and family planning services like insertion of intra-uterine device, tubectomy and vasectomy are ensured.
Earlier, speaking on the occasion, local MLA and Parliamentary Secretary Kennedy Khyriem urged the people to take advantage of the various health facilities available at all health centres to know about the importance of family planning, maternal and child health and adolescent counselling.
He also urged the people to come forward and enroll with the Megha Health Insurance Scheme so that they can avail themselves of the benefits of MHIS smart card in all the hospitals empanelled with MHIS.
During the day the chief guest distributed prizes to the winners of the extempore speech and slogan writing competition.
In Jowai, the world population day was observed at the District Hospital in Ialong. The West Jaintia Hills District Health Society observed this day on the hospital premises to capture the attention of people visiting the hospital, aiming to create awareness and educate the people on the ways and means of how to space pregnancies in order to have a happy and healthy family.
In Nongpoh, Ri Bhoi District Medical and Health Officer Bareh Pohchen launched a programme to mark ‘World Population Stabilisation Fortnight’ and ‘Intensified Diarrhoea Control Fortnight’ on Tuesday. Schoolchildren, teachers and locals were among the participants.
Deputy Commissioner C.P Gotmare also focused on the need for family planning.
“The best way to control the speedy growth of population is to use contraceptives as per the prescription of experts,” he said.
SPARK Initiative
SPARK, a non-profit organisation, held a series of awareness programmes in several rural pockets of East Khasi Hills and Ri Bhoi districts.
Participants were told that access to safe, family planning is a human right. It is also central to gender equality and women’s empowerment and is a key factor in reducing poverty.
