Mon, July 24 (MExN): Population Stabilization Fortnight Campaign was observed in various districts of Nagaland. The campaign was held from June 27 to July 24 in Mon district, while Kiphire and Longleng observed it from July 11 to 24. In Mon, the campaign was divided into two phases – the mobilisation week and the population fortnight. According to a press release from Leeyan Chemshy, Media Officer, NHM, Mon, the campaign observed that fertility control and birth-spacing measures in the district is “somehow acceptable except for the mindsets of some aged folks who think that it goes against the will of God.”
However, that did not hamper the campaign as the IEC (Information, Education and Communication) team played its role by setting up effective sessions on Inter Personal Communication and Focus Group Discussions (FGD) in order to give the women, men and couples a comprehensive information about all contraceptive options and that there is support for personal decision making regarding family planning, the release stated. Mon district completed the fortnight campaign with 396 IUCD INSERT IGNOREions, 150 permanent sterilisation and distribution of numerous temporary contraceptive methods to all the blocks.
In Kiphire district, following services were provided during the fortnight: IPC sessions on importance of Family Planning, counseling, IUCD INSERT IGNOREion and female sterilization, free distribution of condoms, mala-n, EC pills, UPT kits.
Meanwhile, Focus Group Discussions were conducted in 14 villages of the district, where the attendees raised questions on Family Planning and misconceptions of having side effects through the methods were cleared. The target audiences for the FGDs were eligible couples, while the topics of discussions were Importance of Family Planning, Methods of Family Planning, Importance of Birth Spacing, Maternal Health, Child Health & Immunization, and Misconceptions of Family Planning Methods.
The number of patients enrolled for services available during the fortnight was: 25- Tubectomy, 69- IUCD INSERT IGNOREion, 3- PPIUCD, and zero- Male sterilisation.
A release from Media Officer, Chief Medical Officer’s office, Kiphire further informed that Dr. Rebecca Y Sema, DPO (RCH-UIP) in her address said, “Family Planning is a necessity and an important key for a healthy and happy family. By keeping a small family, parents can support and nurture their children physically, spiritually, emotionally and psychologically.” She sensitized the young mothers on the importance of child immunization and its benefits. Setsao, BEE and Muchui, FWA spoke on the hazards of maternal mortality rate after the fifth child during their visit to the villages. They urged the participants to ideally maintain a gap of 2-3 years after each birth.
Medonguno M. Chasie, Media Officer also shared her experience of growing up in a big family. She opined that it becomes difficult for the parents to give equal love and attention to each child in a big family and therefore affects the psychology of the children immensely.
Focus Group Discussions were conducted in 16 villages under Longleng district during the campaign. The target groups were lactating mothers and pregnant women with an aim to create awareness and educate them to be healthy mothers and also to enable them to clarify their doubts to improve their health. The topics discussed were Family Planning, Breastfeeding, Birth Spacing, How to use Condoms and Contraceptive Pills and Personal Hygiene. Female sterilization was conducted in the district with 63 IUCD INSERT IGNOREions and 20 ligations.
