Health Minister Dr. Irfan Ansari flags off male sterilization awareness vehicle and postal department vehicle
The campaign will run until December 20, 2025
Ranchi: A state-level male sterilization campaign and felicitation ceremony was organized at the IPH auditorium in Namkum. Inaugurating the program, Health Minister Dr. Irfan Ansari said that family planning is not just about population control but a major step towards a healthy family and safe motherhood.
He said that this effort will be successful only with the equal participation of men. Dr. Ansari called upon everyone to take this campaign forward as a public movement.
The Health Minister said that this campaign is an important step towards the family welfare program of the state. Family planning is not just a matter of population control, but a strong step towards a healthy family, safe motherhood, and a happy society. Its aim is to ensure that every child comes into this world with planning and preparation, and every mother gets the right to safe motherhood.
He said that we also know that the responsibility of family planning often remains limited to women, but the time has come for men to share this responsibility equally. Sterilization is a safe, simple, and effective method, and it is our collective responsibility to dispel the misconceptions surrounding it in society.
Dr. Irfan Ansari said that the districts and health institutions being honored in this ceremony have given a new direction to the family planning program through their dedication, innovation, and hard work. He congratulated all the awardees and said that your achievement is a matter of pride not only for your district but for the entire state. Encouraging the institutions, doctors, or staff who fell short in achieving the success of this campaign, I want all of you to play your role in making this campaign successful by contributing fully.
Dr. Ansari informed that 8500 health technical and non-technical health workers will be recruited to improve health services in the state.
The state’s first Ranchi Sadar Hospital has been awarded the NABL certificate by the Honorable Minister. This certificate has been achieved through the efforts of the state nodal officer, state consultant PHQA, Ranchi Civil Surgeon, Deputy Superintendent of Ranchi Sadar Hospital, and all the staff.
*MOU Signed with Postal Department*
On this occasion, a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) was signed between the Indian Postal Department, Jharkhand Circle, and the National Health Mission (NHM), Government of Jharkhand, for the transportation and distribution of family planning materials.
Under this, the postal department will ensure the timely supply of materials to health centers across the state through its India Post Parcel network.
This initiative will strengthen the goal of “Healthy Jharkhand, Happy Jharkhand.”
*Government to Further Strengthen Family Planning Services – Ajay Kumar Singh*
Additional Chief Secretary Mr. Ajay Kumar Singh said that family planning is not just a health program but the basis of social and economic progress. Praising the role of surgeons, ANMs, GNMs, and CHOs, he said that through collective efforts, Jharkhand will become an ideal state in male participation-based family planning.
*Male Sterilization is a Safe and Effective Method – Shashi Prakash Jha*
National Health Mission Mission Director Mr. Shashi Prakash Jha informed that the state’s Total Fertility Rate (TFR) has decreased from 3.5 to 2.3, and the Contraceptive Prevalence Rate (CPR) has increased from 35.7% to 61.7%. He said that active participation of men is now necessary, as male sterilization is a safe, simple, and effective method.
*Improvement in Family Planning Indicators in the State – Dr. Pushpa*
State Nodal Officer Dr. Pushpa said that there has been significant improvement in family planning indicators in Jharkhand. Unmet Need has reduced to 10%, and the use of temporary methods has increased. She said that this is not just a health program but a campaign for equality and responsibility.
*Launch of New Methods and Felicitation Ceremony*
During the program, new contraceptive methods (MPA-SC and Implant) were launched, and a video film prepared for Sahiyas was released.
Health workers and institutions across the state that performed excellently were honored, including—
37 health institutions, 19 master trainers, 9 storekeepers, 16 BTTs, 10 Sahiyas, 10 surgeons, 8 ANMs/GNMs, and 11 counselors.
*Key Achievements*
*Total Fertility Rate (TFR) decreased from 3.5 (AHS-2011) to 2.3 (NFHS-5, 2019-21)*
*Contraceptive Prevalence Rate increased from 35.7% (NFHS-3, 2005-06) to 61.7%*
*Unmet Need for Family Planning reduced from 22.6% to 11.5%*
*PPIUCD Insertion percentage 36%*
*Four new methods added – Antara IM, Chhaya, Antara SC, Implant*
*Free availability of temporary methods through Self Care Kits and Condom Boxes*
*Since 2019, over 1.30 lakh mother-in-law-daughter-in-law-husband conferences, 6.98 lakh Nayi Pahal kits distributed, and over 76 thousand Family Welfare Days organized*
Former Rajya Sabha MP Mr. Pradeep Balmuchu, Director Postal Services Mr. B.R. Chaudhary, Director General Health Services Mr. Siddharth Sanyal, along with Civil Surgeons and health workers from all districts were present at the program.