Seeking to offer women a broader basket of choice for family planning, the Govern-ment has introduced a mix of contraceptives which includes injectables and oral pills.
“As a part of our continued efforts to offer Indian women a broader basket of choice, a method mix of contraceptives — injectables, centchroman and Progestogen-Only Pill (POPs) — has now been introduced into the public health system under the National Family Planning programme,” said Health Minister JP Nadda on Tuesday.
The Minister also launched a new logo, a 360-degree communication plan to generate awareness on family planning, besides a new packaging for contraceptive ‘Nirodh’ during the two-day National Summit on Family Planning here.
He said Bollywood superstar Amitabh Bachchan is the brand ambassador and anchor for the new communication approach.
“There has been a paradigm shift and family planning has now emerged as a key strategy to reduce maternal and child mortalities and morbidities. A comprehensive strategy has been worked out where maternal and child health and well-being have been placed at the centrepoint of the new approach,” he said.
The promotion of family planning and ensuring access to preferred contraceptive methods for women and couples is “essential” for securing the well-being and autonomy of women, while supporting the health and development of communities, Nadda said.
The Minister also awarded Tamil Nadu for its exemplary contribution in Post-partum Sterilisation, Madhya Pradesh for it contribution in Postpartum intrauterine contraceptive devices (PPIUCD), Bihar for its female sterilization work and Himacha Pradesh for exemplary contribution in male sterilization. During the event the techno-managerial guidelines for injectable contraceptives and a mobile app for Mission Indradhanush was launched.