Assam: National Health Mission rolls out slew of measures for population control

GUWAHATI: After chief minister Himanta Biswa Sarma expressed serious concern for population control, particularly among immigrant Muslims in the state, the National Health Mission Assam is rolling out slew of measures for the upcoming World Population Day on July 11, including home delivery of contraceptives and of higher incentives for male and female sterilization in eight select districts.
“For female sterilization as per the ongoing Family Planning program in Aspirational and Mission Parivar Vikas districts viz. Baksa, Barpeta, Darrang, Dhubri, Goalpara, Hailakandi, Karimganj and Udalguri the incentive is Rs 2,000 to Rs 3,000 depending on the type of method (PPS/Minilap/LS) and for other districts it is Rs 1400 to Rs 2200. For male sterilization the incentive is Rs 3000 in the Aspirational and MPV districts and Rs 2,000 in case of other districts,” NHM Assam said in a statement.
“Another high focus will be on the Home delivery of contraceptives so that the clients can be provided services at the door step,” it added.
It said that last year amidst Covid pandemic, Assam performed 835 sterilizations conducted 20,848 IUCD insertions, 7136 Antara injections administered, 702229 condoms, 441263 Oral Contraceptives distributed during the WPD.
It said that the state has recorded a significant decline in total fertility rate (TFR) from 2.9 to 2.3 between 2006 and 2016 (SRS) and 1.9 in 2019(NFHS 5), but “Family planning is the key to maintain the Total Fertility Rate (TFR) at replacement level. This will reduce teenage pregnancy; reduce Infant Mortality Rate (IMR) and Maternal Mortality Ratio (MMR) by ensuring spacing at birth.”
NHM Assam added that the state has geared up for celebrating the World Population Day with extensive information, education and communication (IEC) campaigns and mobilization of clients. “The WPD will be conducted in two phases—Mobilization fortnight (Dampatti Sampark Pakhwada) from 27" June to 10th July” and “Population Stabilization Fortnight {Jansankhya Sthirita Pakhwada) Fom 11th“to 24" July.”
“For the upcoming WPD 2021, in view of the Covid-19 pandemic, the major thrust will be to empower people with the knowledge on family planning and the basket of choice available so that they can opt for family planning method best suited for them,” NHM Assam stated.