12 July 2010
Population day Doke asks them not to neglect health, hygiene
WITH the theme of World Population Day (July 11) being ‘Everybody counts, Say what you need’, the health department has decided to involve women from urban slums to voice their demands. Dr Prakash Doke, executive director of the State Health Resource Centre, urged the women to take care of their basic needs as the entire family’s health depends on their wellbeing.
Doke was speaking at a function organised by the State Health Department and United Nations Population Fund, an international agency that promotes the right of every woman, man and child to enjoy a life of health and equal opportunity, at Alpa Bachat Bhavan on Sunday. Anuja Gulati, state programme officer of UNFPA, released a booklet on the trends in sex ratio at birth and the estimates of girls missing at birth in the country on the occasion.
Post neonatal deaths should be reduced, as 2/3rds of the death occur within a month of birth and several within a week, said Dr Pramod Jog, a child specialist. While Dr Arvind Sangamnerkar, gyanecologist, told the gathering, mostly women from slum areas, not to neglect their health specially during pregnancy. Jog also highlighted the importance of cleanliness and hygiene. Dr Uddhavrao Gawhande, additional director of State Family Welfare Bureau, said, several population control measures had been undertaken.
Several doctors and couples who had undergone sterilization after the birth of one or two children were felicitated on the occasion. Vilas Deshpande, from the Information, Education and Communication (IEC) Bureau of the state health department coordinated the function.
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