Union Health Minister Stresses on Family Planning for a Developed India

Union Health Minister J P Nadda emphasized the importance of family planning for achieving a developed India. He urged the Centre and states to ensure women's rights to contraceptives and family planning choices. During a World Population Day event, he highlighted the significance of maintaining low Total Fertility Rates (TFR).

Union Health Minister J P Nadda on Thursday emphasized that the goal of 'Viksit Bharat' can only be achieved when the health of India's families is well maintained, advocating for smaller families as a means to this end.

He called for collective efforts by the Centre and states to ensure women can exercise their right to make family planning choices, free from the burden of unwanted pregnancies. Addressing a meeting with states and UTs on World Population Day, Nadda highlighted the event's theme: 'Healthy timing and spacing of pregnancies for the wellbeing of mother and child.'

Nadda stressed the importance of meeting the unmet needs for contraceptives, especially in high-burden regions, and urged a recommitment to population stabilisation. He praised the 'Mission Parivar Vikas,' a scheme that has significantly increased contraceptive access and reduced maternal and infant mortality rates in high-priority districts. Nadda cautioned against complacency, emphasizing the need to maintain and achieve low Total Fertility Rates across the country.

(With inputs from agencies.)