AMPATI: The District Health Society, South West Garo Hills, observed the World Population Day at Kentrikona near Mahendraganj on Friday last, even as the observance of Mobilisation Fortnight and Population Stabilisation Fortnight are underway across the district.
The day-long observance of World Population Day on the theme ‘Family Planning a beginning for Meaningful Future’ was marked by series of programmes, including free health screening, sensitisation and counseling and various competitions for students and children.
Speaking on the occasion as the chief guest, ADC & PD, DRDA, D.D. Shira dwelt at length on the advantages of having a small family where every child can be given due care and attention which in helps in building a strong healthy society and a progressive nation. While appealing to the elders and parents of the communities residing in Mahendraganj area to cooperate with the health workers in making the family planning programmes of the government a success, he said “if we fail to solve the problem of over-population, all our efforts towards development will remain futile and will continue to lag behind instead of moving forward. Expressing concern over high infant mortality rates in Mahendraganj area, he appealed to the gathering not to believe in rumours about family planning programmes shed their fears about birth control methods and put their faith in medical science.
He also gave away prizes to the winners of various competitions on the occasion.
Earlier, District Medical & Health Officer, Dr. K.A. Sangma in her introductory address had informed that the area was chosen for observance of World Population Day as there has been high incidence of infant mortality in Mahendraganj area and appealed to the people to come forward and avail of free services being given through family planning programmes. She also informed that as part of the Population Stabilisation Fortnight free tubectomy and other birth control operations were being conducted at Ampati Civil Hospital on July 17 and 18.
SDMO, Ampati, Dr. C. K. Sangma, CDPO, Zikzak, M.O.T.Sangma, Medical & Health Officer i/c Mahendraganj CHC, Dr. Flora Sangma and Nokma of Kentrikona also spoke on the occasion, while ASHAs of Mahendraganj area performed a skit on family planning.
