Kohima, September 29 (MExN): The Family Planning Association of India (FPAI), Nagaland Branch held a press conference on September 29 at its Clinic, Daklane with H.R. Umesh Aradhya, National President of FPAI, Amita Dhanu, Director (Adolescents), and Anjali Sen, Regional Director, South Asian Region, International Planned Parenthood Federation (IPPF), India who are currently on an official visit to Nagaland.
FPAI National President Aradhya gave a brief introduction of the history of FPAI which was initiated by a few women activists with a vision for population control. Aradhya also mentioned that FPAI is a voluntary organization with more than 10,000 volunteers and 800 staff members.
Meanwhile Amita Dhanu highlighted the activities of FPAI which goes much beyond family planning such as advocating and providing awareness for women empowerment, gender equality, and youth by giving livelihood skills, with a special focus on the poorest of the poor. Their activities also targets and involves men in health issues, and provide health services for women and children.
The FPAI Nagaland branch is said to have started in 1978. Anjali Sen lauded the Nagaland branch for its achievements while also giving a brief overview of IPPF which is a federation of 150 countries. “We are locally involved but globally connected,” said Sen adding that the Federation came out of the needs of the people and has been able to leverage its technical expertise that are available across the globe.
Over the years, the IPPF and FPAI has moved from family planning to a broader continuum of several issues such as sexual reproductive health, sexuality, gender, HIV/AIDs, provide save and legal abortion etc, stated Sen, with its main mission to work and serve the poorest of the poor, and the under-served.
Stating that the official visit is a routine branch visit to see how the FPAI is progressing in Nagaland, the officials mentioned that they were impressed with the services provided in Nagaland by FPAI. However, the officials mentioned that Nagas still need more awareness to understand the services provided and assert their health rights.
Vincent Belho, FPAI, Nagaland Branch, highlighted the activities and services provided in Nagaland such as free tests on HIV/AIDS, Hep-B and Hep-C, counseling, pediatric services. Belho emphasized that FPAI’s main focus is to ensure quality life, and not just family planning or population control.
The FPAI has the highest number of immunization in Nagaland. The number services provided by FPAI in Nagaland in 2013 was 40,784; 46,770 services in 2014; 48,254 services in 2015; and 16,875 services in 2016 (till date).
