World Population Day World Population Day (WPD) is an annual event, observed on July 11 every year, which seeks to raise awareness about global population issues. The event was established by the Governing Council of United Nation Development Programmer (UNDP) in 1989. It was inspired by the public interest on Five Billion Day on July 11, 1987, (approximately the date on which the World’s population reached Five Billion people). Need for Population Stabilization has increasingly become indispensible as population beyond the sustainable limit perpetuate poverty, child labour, school drop-outs, malnutrition, Infant Mortality & Morbidity, Maternal Mortality & Morbidity , proliferation of slums and a host of communicable diseases, besides creating a dangerous imbalance between resource, environment and population. Hence, the efforts towards Population Stabilization must be an integral element of development process in all countries, which is essential for ensuring a higher quality of life for people. As the problem is multifaceted, the solution also demands contribution from multiple departments particularly social welfare, education etc. The national theme of this year’s “World Population Day” is “Chhota Parivar- Sukhi Parivar” Ministry of Health & Family Welfare, GOI takes special initiative in observation of the WPD. Government of Delhi adopts guidelines & celebrates accordingly. The first fortnight (27 th June to 10 th July) is known as “Dampati Sampark Pakhwada” or Mobilization Fortnight wherein Behavioral Charge Communication activities like Health Talk, Focused Group Discussion, Role play, Nukkad Natak are organized in all the districts to enhance the awareness for Modern methods of contraception and adoption of Family Planning and small family norms. Second Fortnight (11 th -24 th July) is known as “Jansankhya Sthirtha Pakhwada” as Population Stabilization Fortnight wherein intensified service provision activities in the form of various NSV/ Tubectomy/ IUCD camps are organized at identified facilities across the state. Though Family Planning Services and counseling are available in Public health facilities across all Agencies in the State, the activities are undertaken in an intensified manner over two fortnights. See below for the details of activities undertaken during Population Stablization Fortnight for the year 2012. Report World Population Day & Fortnights 2012 Directorate of Family Welfare Govt. of NCT of Delhi 1 REPORT ON WORLD POPULATION DAY CELEBRATION 2012 STATE OF DELHI Introduction: World Population Day (WPD) is an annual event, observed on July 11 every year, which seeks to raise awareness about global population issues. The event was established by the Governing Council of United Nation Development Programmer (UNDP) in 1989. It was inspired by the public interest in Five Billion Day on July 11, 1987, (approximately the date on which the World‟s population reached Five Billion people). Need for Population Stabilization has increasingly become indispensible as population beyond the sustainable limit perpetuate & poverty, child Labour, school drop-outs, Malnutrition, Infant Mortality & Morbidity, Maternal Mortality & morbidity , proliferation of slums and a host of communicable diseases, besides creating a dangerous imbalance between resource, environment and population. Hence, the efforts towards Population Stabilization must be an integral element of development process in all countries, which is essential for ensuring a higher quality of life for people. As the problem is multifaceted, the solution also demands contribution from multiple department‟s particularly social welfare education etc. Ministry of Health & Family Welfare, GOI takes special initiative in observation of the WPD. The Global theme of WPD 2012 was: “Universal Access to Reproductive Health Services” The national theme of this year‟s “World Population Day” was “Khushali Ka Adhaar Chhota Parivar” "खुशहाली का आधार छोटा पररवार" Ministry of Health & Family Welfare, GoI provided guidelines, instructions and funds to all States for celebration of WPD and observation of Two fortnights around the WPD (11th July). Expected Level of Achievements (ELAs‟) were also allocated to States for Sterilization & Intra Uterine Contraceptive Device (IUCD). 2 The Directorate of Family Welfare Delhi accordingly observed: Mobilization Fortnight or Dampati Sampark Pakhwada(DSP) during the preceding fortnight (27th June to 10th July 2012) and Population Stabilization Fortnight or Jansankhya Sthirta Pakhwada (JSP) ( 11th July to 27 July 2012) during the following fortnight to promote Population Stabilization. The brief summary of activities undertaken was as follows:- I. Dissemination of guidelines to districts: An orientation sensitization meeting was held on 21.06.2012 to appraise all RCH Nodal officers at districts and at hospitals about the what, how, when, where and how much to do for celebration of WPD and related Pakhwadas (fortnights): [Pic: WPD 2012 Orientation-Sensitization Meeting at DFW] i. A road map was sketched out for districts; ELAs were allocated to districts based on population of districts (for further passing on rationally to organizations within the district). Handholding done on dissemination of guidelines to facilities within the district through provision of resource material for meetings, at district level. Strategies were suggested for achievement of ELA‟s. ii. Guidelines for IEC material preparation, dissemination and display along with suggested drafts were provided. iii. Activities to be undertaken including District level orientation meeting, Mega event (Mega Camp), Camps, School competitions, Mobilization, Daily contraceptive services provision, etc. were told. iv. Strategies for convergence with other sectors and organization were suggested. v. Strategies for demand generation, exploration of unmet need at community level and facility level were told. vi. Reporting mechanism to be followed during these two fortnights was outlined. Formats were provided and discussed. 3 vii. Information about the planned „finale event‟ was shared, so that all could prepare for State level exhibition, decide the best district level candidates for State level Awards and send the nominations for various categories of awards to be decided at State Level. The provisional date was announced as 31.07.12. II. Communication and Appraisal of all relevant stakeholders: The State quickly wrote to relevant departments, sectors, organizations, agencies to bring about convergence in the celebration and observation of WPD. The various departments/sectors roped in were: i. Education department: IEC among school children about population stabilization and related issues was planned. Cooperation and active participation of the school staff for conduct of school competitions (Poster/Slogan/Debates, etc. on population, sex ratio, child survival and other related issues) was sought. ii. Delhi Medical Association: for appraisal and active involvement of private practitioners. iii. Mobile Health Scheme: DHS was requested for running Family Planning activity during the fortnights through the mobile vans under Mobile health Scheme. iv. School Health Scheme, DHS: for involvement of school health staff in IEC and competition. v. ASHA scheme: DSHM, SPO (ASHA) was requested for intensifying ground level IEC, motivation, mobilization, etc. through ASHA‟s by apprising District ASHA Nodal officers. The monthly refresher training for ASHA‟s for the month of July was requested to be dedicated to topics related to Population Stabilization. vi. CDMO’s and Medical Superintendents were apprised through dedicated letters to each seeking their involvement and support in activities. Similar action was sought from district authorities; so that the convergence activities could be replicated at districts in a decentralized and focused manner. III. Mobilization Fortnight (Dampati Sampark Pakhwada) 27th June to 10th July, 2012 Extensive demand generation activities through involvement of the health functionaries at all levels including Medical Officers, ANMs, ASHAs and Aganwari workers etc. were undertaken planned between 27th June to 10th July 2012. 4 a) Tracking of eligible couples: All field health functionaries (including those at primary health centers, maternity homes and hospitals) were involved in updating the eligible couple registers in their defined population/clientage as applicable. The field workers (ASHA and ANM) were specifically trained and sensitized in identifying the Couples with unmet contraceptive need in their assigned population so that through proper counseling, most of these could be provided coverage as per their contraceptive choice. Pic: Health Talk, Mobilization Fortnight Pic: Counseling Desk (North East District) (South West District) b) IEC Activities: i. There were extensive display of IEC in the form of banners, Posters and distribution of pamphlets on various issues related to Population Stabilization. The drafts & designs were provided by the State for all districts to replicate/modify/improvise, etc. so that within the available short span of time the material could be arranged, disseminated and displayed. 5 ii. All OPD slips during the Pakhwadas were stamped or stickered with the information on Pakhwadas. iii. Focus group discussions, health talks, nukkad nataks on topics related to Population Stabilization, contraceptive methods etc. were conducted/performed at health centres with support & guidance of district BCC officers and RCH Nodal officers. Pic: