KOHIMA — Nagaland branch of the Family Planning Association of India (FPAI) on Tuesday celebrated its 75th anniversary at Muskan Youth Centre in Kohima.
Dr. Leamnyei Konyak, chief medical officer (CMO) of Kohima, who attended the occasion as special guest, commended the association's significant contributions and transformative impact on the community, highlighting its role in empowering women and promoting gender equality in the state.
He said FPAI was formed in 1949, which is affiliated with the International Planned Parenthood Federation, by a group of concerned intellectual women by recognising that having too many children and pregnancies was detrimental to women's health.
Highlighting that FPAI is a voluntary non-governmental organisation that pioneered the family planning movement in India, he noted that the association works on a wide range of sexual and reproductive health and rights issues, encompassing family planning, maternal health, child survival, HIV/AIDS, safe reproductive tract cancer screening and prevention, gender empowerment, youth issues and mitigation of gender-based violence.
The CMO also asserted that the key strategies of FPAI include ensuring access to high-quality reproductive health services, strengthening access to information and services for young people, providing comprehensive sexuality education and building the capacity of healthcare providers and community volunteers on sexual and reproductive health issues. They engage with communities and individuals to change gender disparity and promote sexual and reproductive health and rights.
He noted that FPAI also provides livelihood opportunities for economic empowerment of the poor and vulnerable and advocates for policy change at the national and state levels.
He also highlighted the important benefits of family planning services that are visible in preventing pregnancy-related health risks in women, reducing infant mortality, reducing maternal mortality, helping to prevent HIV/AIDS, empowering people and enhancing education, reducing adolescent pregnancies, improving quality of life and slowing population growth.
Dr. Konyak further stated that the milestone was not only significant for the association but also for the state of Nagaland. He urged the association to take the opportunity to reflect on past achievements and to look forward with a renewed vision and plan.
Thejavizo Kire, chairperson of the branch steering committee (BSC), in his message, said that FPAI has rendered impactful services in the fields of sexual and reproductive health (SRH), family planning, adolescent SRH, climate change and humanitarian response.
He asserted that on the historic 75th anniversary of FPA India, the organisation remains committed to ensuring equitable access to SRHR information and services across 18 Indian states with unwavering dedication, continuing to empower communities and pave the way for a healthier future for all.
He maintained that FPAI's annual reach in 2023 has been 3.69 million people through 44 branches, projects and partners. He also emphasised the need for doing more in the years to come with dynamic leadership at the headquarters and volunteerism assisted by trained and professional staff.
Kire further sought continued support from partners and active participation from all stakeholders to achieve shared goals.
Vingosanuo Khatso, programme officer, while presenting on Adolescent Sexual Reproductive Health Delivery in Emergency Settings (ASRHIE) in humanitarian settings, emphasised the vital role of collaboration, community engagement, ensuring safe spaces, psychological support and counseling services among others.
Vincent Belho, general manager, presented ‘FPAI: 75 years of service’ and stated that the FPAI, established in 1949 to promote family planning, has over the years introduced population education, sexuality education, reproductive health and SRH services in humanitarian settings.
He informed that the FPAI Nagaland Branch was established on January 29, 1977 and catered to the marginalised population with friendly, confidential and easily accessible services in a homely environment.
Belho also highlighted that the FPAI Nagaland branch provides services such as consultation, management, diagnosis, preventive care, gender-based violence, obstetrics, gynecology, HIV, STIs, safe abortion, contraception and counseling.
The programme was led by Alenuo Kelio, while the welcome address was delivered by Atsibu Usou and concluded with a vote of thanks delivered by Punasongla Jamir.