Wokha, Phek and Kohima districts observe World Population Day

DIMAPUR — Various districts in Nagaland including Kohima, Wokha and Phek observed ‘World Population Day’ on the theme ‘Healthy timing and spacing between pregnancies for planned parenthood,’ on July 11.

Wokha: The Wokha division of Health & Family Welfare department observed the day at the conference hall of chief medical officer (CMO), Wokha town, an update stated.

The theme speaker Dr. Thungchanbemo Ezung, CMO Wokha, in his speech, stated that the day is observed annually all over the world to create awareness on population issues. He spoke on the importance of spacing in family planning, highlighting its benefits for both mothers and children.

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Dr. Ezung urged the healthcare workers to prioritise routine immunisation activities as it could prevent various diseases among children. He also sought the support of the community in disseminating information on family planning and the free services available at government health centres.

The CMO further emphasised that healthcare workers should actively involve to amplify the message on family planning.

Chairperson of the programme and district programme manager, Mhonbeni Ezung, welcomed the participants and urged the healthcare workers and ASHAs to conduct family planning activities from July 11 to the 18th.

Oponthung Kinghen, consultant at Urban UPHC, delivered the vote of thanks, appreciating the DPMU staff for organising the programme and expressing hope that it would effectively spread awareness on family planning.

The programme was attended by DCM, BACs, BPMs, Urban ASHAs, DPMU and UPHC staff.

Phek: ‘World Population Day’ celebration was held at CMO’s conference hall, Phek town, with Dr. Pangertemsu, Gynae. & Obs., District Hospital Phek as the guest speaker.

Speaking on the theme, the speaker highlighted the importance of quality life, addressing population-related concerns such as reproductive health, family planning, gender equality and sustainable development.

Dr. Pangertemsu also shared the different methods of family planning available in the district and urged participants to disseminate information about the services and facilities offered by health institutions to the community.

The health facilities across the district will be carrying out various family planning activities such as awareness talks on the methods and benefits of FP during VHNDs, distribution of other family planning commodities to those who opt for this temporary FP method.

IEC materials in the form leaflets printed in local dialects on FP will be handed out for awareness during the observation activity. The Accredited Social Health Activist (ASHA) will be carrying out mobilisation activity to mobilise the community to avail the FP services.

Earlier, the programme was chaired by Dr. Shasinle Tep, DPO NCD, and vote of thanks proposed by Sedeu Rupreo, DPM NHM, who also have briefed the participants on the various activities to be carried out.

Kohima: The event, jointly organised along with District Health Society, Department of Health & Family Welfare, NHM, was held at CMO’s conference hall.

Dr. Khrievilhou Nakhro, DPO (RMNCAH+N),  spoke on the importance of World Population Day and the ongoing fortnight (July 11-18), highlighting family planning options and the ‘Saarthi on Wheels’ initiative under Mission Parivar Vikas.

He informed that Kohima district will conduct advocacy and awareness campaigns across all blocks and villages, featuring exhibitions on family planning methods, contraceptive use, and spacing options. The campaigns will also focus on promoting delayed marriage and first childbirth, counselling on family planning choices, and motivating eligible couples to access services like IUCD, PPIUCD, condoms, tubectomy, and vasectomy, as well as raising awareness about HIV/AIDS.

The advocacy aims to spread key messages, including delaying marriage age, maintaining healthy birth spacing, postpartum family planning, encouraging male involvement in family planning, and family planning after abortion. These messages aim to raise awareness and promote informed choices.

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 including distribution of pamphlets, leaflets and putting up of banners and posters at prominent places in line with New Family Planning Media Campaign.

The IEC activities will include, interpersonal communication through focus group discussions in selected health units, distribution of informational materials like pamphlets and leaflets, and displaying banners and posters in prominent locations.

These activities will align with the new family planning media campaign, promoting a range of family planning services. The programme was chaired by DPM, Avikali Jakhalu