Family planning day on 21st of every month in Bihar

PATNA: The state government has decided to celebrate ‘Family Planning Day’ on 21st of every month from September 21, health minister Mangal Pandey said on Sunday. The move is to create awareness about family planning at the community level. Various activities will be organised on this day at all the health units to promote fertility awareness based methods and contraception.
“Under this initiative, cases of unwanted pregnancies, maternal mortality, neonatal mortality and complications related to child birth can be reduced.With awareness and acceptance of family planning among the people, the health workers will be able to reduce the number of unsafe abortions in the state. Special attention will be given to target groups like women who have been identified as having a high-risk pregnancy and newly married couples,” Pandey said.
“Decline in maternal and infant mortality and prevention from HIV infection would like to boost women empowerment as well as help in social and economic development of women,” he added.
Pandey said if the interested couple chooses any one of the family planning options on September 21, then all arrangements will be made to provide them facilities. “To ensure the successful implementation of the Family Planning Day, preparations have been completed in the districts. Similarly, under the Pradhan Mantri Surakshit Matritva Abhiyan, arrangements for counselling of pregnant women will be ensured at all health facilities on the 9th of every month. The women and their families coming for ANC (antenatal care) check-ups will be made aware of the family planning-related measures,” the minister said.
ASHAs and Jeevika didis would have an important role in implementing this initiative as they will do the line listing of women of rural and urban areas.