From the present 20 crore, Uttar Pradesh’s population may cross the 28 crore mark by the next census (last one being 2011) if adequate measures aren’t taken to bring down the total fertility rate (TFR) which at present is 3.4.
“TFR at national level is 2.6 and UP should bring it down to 2.4 if it has to control its burgeoning population. This I believe should be done in the next few years,” said Dr SK Sikdar, deputy commissioner (family planning) in the ministry of health and family welfare, while talking to media on the sidelines of a two-day state level workshop on ‘revitalization of family planning’ on Monday.
“Once UP achieves the 2.4 mark, bringing it further down will be very difficult. But even if this is achieved, it will show a telling impact on the national figures,” he said.
Speaking at t he event, senior manager programme of Population Services International Shubhra Trivedi said family planning could also reduce maternal and child deaths by reducing the number of pregnancies, unsafe abortions and high risk births.
“Family planning is helpful in saving lives of women and children because it prevents untimely and unintended pregnancy, reduces women’s exposure to health risks of unsafe childbirth and abortion and lessens the health risks associated with pregnancies that are early, closely spaced or very late,” she said.
{{/usCountry}}“Family planning is helpful in saving lives of women and children because it prevents untimely and unintended pregnancy, reduces women’s exposure to health risks of unsafe childbirth and abortion and lessens the health risks associated with pregnancies that are early, closely spaced or very late,” she said.
{{/usCountry}}It has been estimated that meeting women’s needs for modern contraceptives would prevent about one-quarter to one-third of all maternal deaths in a year. A similar proportion of injuries, infections, and long term disabilities that result from pregnancy, child birth and unsafe abortions could also be prevented, she said.
Earlier, mission director NRHM and other senior officials addressed the workshop which was attended by chief medical officers from different districts of the state.