State-level World Population Day celebration was held at White Hall, Noklak village on 11th July 2023, with Deputy Commissioner Arikumba as the Special Guest.
Arikumba NCS, Deputy Commissioner of Noklak, addressed the gathering as the Special Guest and stated that the United Nations focuses on celebrating World Population Day with the motive of creating a world where each and every person has a bright future full of promises, potential, and opportunities.
Arikumba explained in detail the problems generated by overpopulation, such as unemployment, food and nutrition, housing, starvation and famine, infectious diseases, and epidemics, increasing pressure on cities and the development of slums, heavy burden on most resources, decrease in agricultural areas, continuous destruction of forests, threat to the environment including wildlife, political instability, war, social evils, and corruption, among others.
The DC mentioned that as they gather to celebrate World Population Day, they should be reminded that the global population is rising every second, and with the rise in population, the prevalent issues related to it are also accelerating alarmingly. From poverty to the economy to maternal health, the growth in the global population brings forth many areas that need attention, efforts, and changes.
Further, the DC reminded the gathering to work and strive to make things better for everyone living in the world.
V. Vincent Belho, the General Manager of FPA India, Nagaland Branch, spoke about the significance of World Population Day and its contextual understanding in Naga Society. He said that World Population Day is a global event observed annually on the 11th of July, which seeks to raise awareness of global population issues such as the importance of planning, gender equality, poverty, maternal health, and human rights.
The Day is a significant event that also highlights the importance of addressing population issues to promote sustainable development and improve the lives of people worldwide, he added. World Population Day aims to reduce poverty, improve health outcomes, and promote sustainable development by advocating for education, healthcare, and equal opportunities for women and girls.
While explaining the Total Fertility Rate (TFR), Belho said that TFR referred to a statistical measure used to estimate the average number of children that would be born to a woman over her lifetime in a given population. He elaborated that TFR is influenced by various factors, including cultural norms, socioeconomic conditions, education levels, availability of contraception, government policies, and women's empowerment.
He explained in detail the key benefits of family planning, which include empowering individuals, improving maternal and child health, enhancing economic well-being, promoting education, reducing population growth, preventing unintended pregnancy and unsafe abortion, and protecting the environment.
Vincent Belho elaborated on some suggested measures to enhance family planning in rural areas, such as increasing awareness and education, expanding access to family planning services, overcoming logistics challenges, training and supporting healthcare providers, tailoring services to local needs and cultural context, addressing cost barriers, fostering partnerships and collaborations, emphasizing male involvement, and monitoring and evaluating programs.
Dr. Victor NC CMO cum MS, Noklak, spoke about medical services for family planning. He mentioned that family planning helps reduce maternal and infant mortality rates by enabling women to plan and space their pregnancies. Adequate spacing between pregnancies allows women to recover fully and reduces the risk of complications during pregnancy and childbirth. It also leads to healthier babies as women can optimize their health and seek appropriate prenatal care.
Dr. Victor discussed the medical services available in the district, where one can approach the District Hospital, sub-centers, health workers, and ASHAs.
Dr. Victor elaborated in detail on temporary methods such as child spacing, copper-T, condoms, and oral contraceptive pills. He also discussed tubectomy and vasectomy as permanent methods of family planning.
TL Khaoshai, Vice President of the Khiamniungan Tribal Council, Shangchiu, President of the Khiamniungan Students Union, and Keshe, Vice-President of the Khiamniungan Menyiu Hoikam, also spoke during the occasion.
Earlier, a special number was presented by Tsuken S while the program was chaired by DPM Noklak Hosea NS Lam.
The programme was organized by the Noklak District Administration, CMO Noklak, FPA India, Nagaland Branch, under the aegis of the Department of Health & Family Welfare, Nagaland.
(K.K. Chim, IA Noklak)
