More choices in contraceptives will impact birth control coverage: Nadda

The Government is extensively focussing on strengthening unmet needs for family planning in the immediate post-delivery and post-abortion period as part of population stabilisation efforts, Union Health Minister J P Nadda said today.

Inaugurating a workshop 'Population Stabilisation: A Right and Responsibility' on the occasion of the World Population Day, Nadda stated that the population stabilization efforts have an economic argument attached to it, as the demographic dividend of the country can be harnessed only when the population is healthy.

The Union Minister stated that it is a matter of pride that the country is has been able to achieve steady decline in the Total Fertility Rate (TFR).

"From a TFR of 2.9 in 2015 to a TFR rate close to 2.2 in 2018 means India is progressing at a good rate of decline," he added.

The recent expansion of basket of choices is poised to further impact the contraceptive coverage in the country, Nadda said.

The government is extensively focussing on strengthening post pregnancy contraception (post-partum as well as post-abortion) to meet the unmet need for family planning in this period, he added