Union Minister of Health and Family Welfare, Jagat Prakash Nadda has said that Centre and States need to collectively work to ensure that women can exercise their right to make family planning choices and are not burdened by unwanted pregnancy, and to ensure that unmet needs of contraceptives are met especially in the high burden states, districts and blocks. “The objective of the family planning programme needs to be ‘Birth by choice and by informed choice’”, he stated.

He was speaking at a virtual meeting held today with State/UTs on the occasion of World Population Day on the theme “Healthy Timing & Spacing of Pregnancies for the Wellbeing of Mother and Child”. Union Minister of State for Health and Family Welfare, Anupriya Patel, also attended the meeting.

Highlighting that 1/5th of global population is India’s population, Nadda stressed on the need to celebrate World Population Day as a reaffirming and re-commitment to working towards population stabilisation. “The goal of Viksit Bharat can only be achieved when the health of India’s families is well maintained which can be achieved by smaller families”, he stated.

The Union Health Minister also stressed that collaboration is key in addressing upcoming responsibilities and recognize family planning and reproductive health as fundamental. “Promoting healthy timing and spacing between births, achieving optimal family sizes, and empowering voluntary adoption of contraceptive choices are crucial for nurturing healthier and happier families, thereby contributing to our nation’s brighter future”, he added.

Nadda also commended the tireless work and dedication of the healthcare and frontline workers and various line departments in reaching the last mile in spreading the messages of family planning and service delivery.