Sri Vijaya Puram, July 11: The Union Territory Health Mission, Andaman and Nicobar Islands, in association with the Directorate of Health Services, will observe World Population Day today (11 July) with awareness programmes across the Islands to promote family planning services, informed reproductive choices and healthy birth spacing for improving maternal and child health.
The observance will be held in line with the nationwide campaign, with the Health Department organising outreach activities throughout the Andaman and Nicobar Islands. The initiative aims to increase public awareness about the importance of planned families, appropriate birth spacing and reproductive health as key measures for improving the well-being of mothers, children and families.
This year’s World Population Day theme is “Jab Bachon Mein Ho Sahi Antral, Pariwar Bane Swasth Aur Khushal”, highlighting the importance of maintaining healthy intervals between births to support better health outcomes for both mothers and children.
According to the Health Department, awareness programmes will involve Panchayati Raj Institutions (PRIs), paramedical personnel, Anganwadi Workers (AWWs) and Accredited Social Health Activists (ASHAs), who will engage with communities to disseminate information on the availability and benefits of family planning services.
The programmes will focus on encouraging informed reproductive choices and educating the public about the health benefits associated with appropriate birth spacing. Officials said the initiative is intended to strengthen awareness on reproductive health while promoting healthier families and communities through informed decision-making.
As part of the World Population Day observance, the Health Department will also organise a Parivar Vikas Mela at the Community Hall, Guptapara, on July 11 from 10 am onwards.
The event is expected to serve as a public awareness platform where information related to family planning services and reproductive health will be shared with residents. The mela forms part of the department’s outreach efforts to increase public participation in programmes aimed at improving maternal and child health outcomes.
The Union Territory Health Mission and the Directorate of Health Services have appealed to the public to participate in the awareness activities being conducted across the Islands and utilise the information provided on family planning and healthy birth spacing.
The observance is part of the annual World Population Day campaign, which seeks to reinforce awareness about reproductive health, family planning services and the role of informed choices in promoting healthier families and communities.
