Population control: Access to family planning remains a challenge

Bengaluru: World Population Day, which falls on July 11, is a United Nations (UN) initiative to focus on the need to create awareness in controlling the rapid rise in population.

India’s population control programmes have not met the desired results the UN has even forecast that the country’s population could surpass China’s by around 2024.

Health experts lament that there were many challenges associated with access to family planning methods and lack of awareness among people.

The theme on this World Population Day is ‘Family Planning is a Human Right’ and city doctors said there is a need for increased awareness regarding contraception and its health impacts.

“Increasing awareness on the use of contraceptives and ensuring the implementation of effective family planning services are the major tools for improving the health of the population. It is estimated that free access to family planning alone could reduce the maternal deaths by 25 percent and child mortality by 20 percent,” said Dr Nirmala Chandrashekhar of BGS Gleneagles Global Hospitals.

According to National Family Health Survey- 4 (NFHS-4) the total fertility rate in the state, which is the average number of children expected to be born to woman in the reproductive age of 15-49, is three as against the national average of 2.2. The survey also highlighted that not even half the population currently uses family planning methods in the city and even the state.

Dr Nirmala said that family planning programmes in India will help in educating both men and women regarding contraception. “Uncontrolled population growth is mainly due to the unmet need for family planning. Factors such as the age at marriage and first child birth and the spacing between births play a crucial role,” she added.

Dr Jyothsna Krishnappa, Senior Consultant Internal Medicine Apollo Hospitals said, “Family planning enables women to have more choice on when to have a family, complete their education, participate in the workforce, and reach their potential. In essence, it enables them to have control over their life and future.”

Dr Shafalika S.B., Consultant-Gynaec Laparoscopic Surgeon at Columbia Asia Referral Hospital Yeshwanthpur, said, “In the world’s second largest populated country like India an increase in awareness regarding contraception is very important.”

Dr Jyothsna pointed that the right to family planning has an immense impact on women as they bear the physical, emotional, and economic effects of pregnancy. Hence she stressed the awareness towards the same is recognised and ensured.