Wokha medical staff observed World Population Day focusing on healthy spacing between pregnancies.
DIMAPUR — World Population Day, held on the theme "Healthy timing and spacing between pregnancies for well-being of mother and child and to prevent unintended pregnancies", was observed at the conference hall of Dr. Motsuo Memorial District Hospital (DMMDH), Wokha, on Monday.
According to an update, Chief Medical Officer of Wokha Dr. Thunchangbemo Ezung on the occasion encouraged health workers to conduct family planning activities during the World Population Day and Stabilisation Fortnight in the district.
The theme speaker, Dr. Benchumi Humtsoe, Medical Officer of Obstetrics and Gynaecology at DMMDH, Wokha, highlighted the need for healthy spacing and timing. She stated that when a woman gives birth, her body undergoes physical, emotional, and nutritional changes. Pregnancy and breastfeeding deplete stored nutrients, such as iron and calcium, she added.
Dr. Humtsoe informed that an adequate period of time is required to replenish these nutrients. She cited the World Health Organisation recommendation of at least two years of spacing between pregnancies. She mentioned that very short inter-pregnancy intervals can lead to complications such as maternal anaemia, nutritional deficiencies, and low birth weight babies, putting both the mother and child at health risk.
On unintended pregnancies, she said they are the result of a lack of education on reproductive health, a lack of access to family planning services, and socio-cultural and economic barriers. She called upon health workers to educate the community on unintended pregnancies and family planning services available at government health centres.
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