Union Minister Anupriya Patel Discusses Family Planning and Health Initiatives
New Delhi [India], July 19: Union Minister of State for Health and Family Welfare, Anupriya Patel, held a meeting with public health experts to discuss the importance of healthy timing and spacing of pregnancies. The event’s theme was ‘Reaching the Last Mile for Ensuring Healthy Timing and Spacing between Pregnancies: Issues and Challenges.’
During the meeting, Patel stated, ‘Adequately spaced pregnancies can significantly enhance maternal and child health outcomes. This reduces health risks and empowers women and families to make informed choices about their reproductive health.’ She noted that government efforts have reduced maternal mortality from over 130 to 97 per one-lakh births.
Patel highlighted several government initiatives, including the Pradhan Mantri Surakshit Matritva Abhiyan (PMSMA), Extended PMSMA, Anemia Mukt Bharat Abhiyan, and the Post-Partum Family Planning Programme. She also emphasized the importance of male involvement in family planning and effective communication strategies.
Aradhana Patnaik, Additional Secretary and Mission Director (NHM), MoHFW, mentioned that India has achieved a Total Fertility Rate (TFR) of 2.0, with 31 States/UTs reaching replacement level. However, she stressed the need for strategies to bring the TFR under replacement level in the remaining states.
Experts like Dr. Kalpana Apte, Dr. Saswati Das, Dr. Chander Shekhar, Ms. Moni Sinha Sagar, Dr. Somesh Kumar, Professor Sudha Prasad, and Dr. S K Sikdar discussed various topics, including male participation in family planning, data usage, global best practices, and expanding contraceptive options.
Patel appreciated the experts’ commitment and emphasized the need to empower youth, address gender participation challenges, increase couple communication, and expand contraceptive choices to achieve successful outcomes.
Doubts Revealed
Union Minister -: A Union Minister is a member of the government who is in charge of a specific department or ministry. In this case, Anupriya Patel is responsible for health and family welfare.
Anupriya Patel -: Anupriya Patel is a politician in India who works as the Union Minister of State for Health and Family Welfare. She helps make decisions about health and family-related issues in the country.
Family Planning -: Family planning means making decisions about when to have children and how many to have. It includes using methods to prevent or space out pregnancies.
Pradhan Mantri Surakshit Matritva Abhiyan -: This is a government program in India that aims to provide free health check-ups and care for pregnant women to ensure safe motherhood.
Anemia Mukt Bharat Abhiyan -: This is a campaign in India to reduce anemia, a condition where people have fewer red blood cells, which can make them feel tired and weak. The campaign focuses on improving nutrition and health.
Male involvement in family planning -: This means encouraging men to participate in decisions about family planning, such as using contraceptives and supporting their partners in health matters.
Contraceptive options -: These are methods or devices used to prevent pregnancy. Examples include birth control pills, condoms, and intrauterine devices (IUDs).
Maternal and child health -: This refers to the health of mothers during pregnancy, childbirth, and the postnatal period, as well as the health of their children.
Viksit Bharat by 2047 -: This is a vision for India to become a developed country by the year 2047, which will be 100 years after its independence.
