EMN
Dimapur, July 13
The call of government stakeholders and the citizenry in Nagaland to engage population control measures continue with the annual World Population Day observance. World Population Day was observed in Zunheboto town on July 11. Sub divisional officer (civil) of Zunheboto, Shinavas, was the chief guest of the event.
Addressing officials of the health department and representatives of Zunheboto Women Hoho and Gaon Buras, SDO Shinavas encouraged them to ‘utilize available resources in a good way’ and ensure educating the people in accessing health services provided by the department.
Shinavas said that investing in young people by promoting healthy habits, ensuring education and access to health services, and ensuring social security coverage for all would be the best investment to improving the lives of the ‘future generations’.
Also addressing the meeting was Dr. John Sweyievisa, additional director of the department of Health & Family Welfare. Speaking about the importance of family planning, Dr. Sweyievisa emphasized on the propagation, sensitization, and spreading information about family planning measures to the people at the grass root level.
The health official also briefed officials and well wishers about the importance of ‘spacing children’ which he said was being emphasized as this year’s central focus of World Population Day. He also encouraged the health workers to rededicate themselves ‘in recordings and reporting’ which he said were important components in every activity of the department.
The formal function in Zunheboto town was preceded by the promotion event Mobilization Fortnight which started from June 27 and culminated on July 10. The event aimed at creating “awareness on population control and generate demand for family planning”.
Also, during Population Stabilization Fortnight which started from July 11 and culminated on July 24 free birth control services such as vasectomy for men and Tubectomy (sterilization) for women were provided besides distributing Copper-T and condoms to citizens. Counseling can be availed by citizens for free in all the government hospitals and health units.
Along with the rest of the country, the District Health Society of Phek also observed World Population Day on July 11. The main program for the event was conducted with the theme ‘The key to happy family, Three years spacing between two children’, in the office of the district’s chief medical officer in Phek town.
Deputy Commissioner of Phek, Murohu Chotso, was the chief guest of the function. Speaking at the program, he called upon the health care workers specifically the doctors and nurses to educate and spread information to the public about family planning. It will ‘check the population growth’, he said. He also emphasized the importance of ‘institutional delivery’ which he said ‘ensures the safety of both the mother and child’.
Chief Medical Officer of Phek district, Dr. K Vikato Kinimi, gave the introductory remarks during the event. He spoke on the theme of World Population Day ‘The key to happy family, Three years spacing between two children’. To have a happy life ‘we need to have a small family’, the chief medical officer said as advice to the gathering during the formal function. The health official has emphasized on promoting information about family planning.
Members of the Phek Town Mothers’ Association, doctors and nurses the district hospital of Phek, district health workers from various programs and staffs of the chief medical officer’s establishment attended the function. Later, information materials about family planning were handed out to the gathering.
