A state-level function was organized in observance of World Population Day, at the state institute of Health and family welfare, phase 6, here on Thursday. Speaking at the event, Punjab Health and Family Welfare and Labour Minister Balbir Singh Sidhu said that Punjab is better placed in terms of population control and for this, the credit goes to health workers especially ASHAs and ANMs who are working at the grassroots level to persuade people to adopt different family planning methods. The minister said the target is not yet achieved and if we make united efforts in more sustained way, the state can be role model for other states in the near future.While focusing upon the importance of the day, Mr. Sidhu said the day is meant to focus attention on the urgency and importance of population issues. The greatest threat causes because of growing population, is quick depletion of natural resources and the threat that it poses to sustainability. He stressed upon the need to sensitize people especially the migrant laborers on the economic, unemployment and other problems related to overpopulation.
He said that the Punjab government is committed to provide better health care to people of the state and it is his utmost priority to make available essential medicines in sufficient quantity in the government health institutions.Health Minister further said that those government doctors who often prescribe expensive medicines to be purchased from the private medical shops, should avoid this bad practice. On the occasion, Accredited Social Health Activists (ASHAs) and Auxiliary Nurse Midwives (ANMs) were facilitated for their good performance in population control. A booklet about the different family planning methods was also released. The minister also launched the Population Stabilization fortnight campaign which will conclude on July 24. During the campaign, health workers will reach every village and town and sensitize the people on different family planning methods like tubectomy, vasectomy, contraceptive pills and on the incentives being given by the Punjab government, to the couples adopting these methods.Amongst present on the occasion were Punjab Health Systems Corporation (PHSC) Chairman Amardeep Singh Cheema, Political Secretary to the minister Harkesh Chand Sharma, OSD to the minister Dr. Balwinder Singh, Directors Dr. Jaspal Kaur, Dr. Avneet Kaur, Dr. Rita Bhardwaj, Dr. Meena Hardeep Singh and Civil Surgeon Mohali Dr. Manjeet Singh etc.