Dimapur, July 11 (EMN): Joining with the rest of the world, State observed the World Population Day on the slogan “New wave, New believe – Family development through complete responsibility” (Nayi lehar, Naya vishwas - Sampoorn zimmedari se parivar vikas) on July 11.
In Kohima, office of the Chief Medical Officer (CMO) observed the day in its conference hall along with District Health Society, Department of Health & Family Welfare, NHM.
The programme was chaired by DPM, Kevin K Zinyu, while the technical session was conducted by DPO (RCH-UIP), Dr. Avile Zao where she gave a presentation on “World Population Day & Population Stabilization Fortnight” being observed from July 11 to 24.
The fortnight would be called as ‘Family health mela.’ Advocacy and awareness campaigns would be carried out in all the blocks and villages under Kohima district which will include exhibition of family planning methods – use of contraceptives and other spacing methods, need for delay in marriage and first child birth, counselling of clients on the basket of choices and motivation of eligible couples for availing family planning services such as IUCD & PPIUCD insertions, condoms, tubectomy and vasectomy including awareness on HIV/AIDS.
During the on-going advocacy, it envisioned to create awareness by emphasising on delaying age at marriage, healthy spacing at birth, post partum family planning, male participation in family planning, post abortion family planning.
IEC activities of interpersonal communication – Focus Group Discussion will be carried out in selected health units to observe Population Fortnight as basket of family planning services inc
luding distribution of pamphlets, leaflets and putting up of banners and posters at prominent places in line with new family planning media campaign.
In Dimapur, the World Population Day was observed at Chapel Hall, District Hospital, Dimapur, with the Deputy Commissioner, Dimapur, KesonyuYhome, as the chief guest.
Speaking on the occasion, the chief guest reminded that the issue of population explosion is not only confined to the Department of Health and Family Welfare alone. “The issue of population regulation is a subject matter of every responsible citizen and every stakeholder has a business with population regulation,” he maintained.
Stating that population explosion has social and political ramifications besides health issues, Yhome felt the need for inter-sectoral discussion and inter-departmental coordination for addressing the growing problem. He pointed that India, which comprise of about 18 percent of the world’s population and only 2.4% of the world’s land mass, do not have the system and capacity to accommodate the growing population and thus is major concern of every family. He expressed his optimism that all the stakeholders would come together through the observation of the programme.
DPO (RCH/UIP), Dr. Lanuaku, delivering the key note address, said that population explosion is one major concern of the world. With the aid of power point presentation, he enlightened the gathering on the causes and effects of over population and also the solutions to address the issue.
Officials from the Directorate of Health and Family Welfare also spoke on the occasion, while students from School of Nursing presented a special song. The programme was chaired by CMO, Dimapur, Dr. VikatoKinimi and MS DHD, Dr.CW Tungoe proposed the vote of thanks.
In a related programme, District Health Society Phek has observed World Population Day in the conference hall of the Medical Superintendent, District Hospital, Phek.
Dr. Azo Louis, Gynaecologist DH Phek and resource person, spoke on the slogan and exhorted that in order to have good quality life, one has to be rationally responsible, proactive and plan one’s own family accordingly by taking into account one’s economic stability and at the same time be aware of things happening around in the society.
He said that a happy family needs sense of security, peace, fresh air, and good potable water, good health and economic stability and a safe environment. As parents, one should plan a family size so that they can provide good quality of life to the offspring rather than focusing on the quantity of children.
Dr. Kolhitso Khalo, DPO RCH and UIP Phek, highlighted on the different activities to be done during Population Stabilization Fortnight from July 11 to 24. He also presented the different family planning methods which will be available at all health units free of cost.
The programme was chaired by Dr. Wethselo T Mero, Paediatrican DH Phek. Doctors, nurses and staff of MS and CMO Phek attended the programme.
