Response for vasectomy remains poor in DK: Dr Ravi

In spite of conducting awareness programmes about vasectomy, the number of men opting for birth control measures in Dakshina Kannada district is poor, said Zilla Panchayat CEO Dr M R Ravi.

He was speaking at the World Population Day programme organised by the district administration, the Zilla Panchayat, the Department of Health and Family Welfare and Mangaluru City Corporation here on Wednesday.

29th position

Dr Ravi said Dakshina Kannada district is 29th in the state in the number of men opting for vasectomy. In order to popularise the vasectomy, the Department of Health and Family Welfare should initiate a mass campaign, he suggested.

“The response for sterilisation drives for men in Dakshina Kannada has been very poor. There is a need to ward off misconception on the same in the society. Dakshina Kannada is a forerunner in education, health and other sectors. However, it is a tragedy that the response to birth control measures by men is poor in the district,” said the CEO.

“There is a massive campaign to bring in an attitudinal change in the people on population control. Without a change in mindset, all the programmes initiated by the Department of Health and Family Welfare will not be successful. Population should not be mere headcount, but also the resources available for each individual. There is a need to capitalise and explore resources which are in abundance in the country,” Dr Ravi said.

Human Resources Day

Stating that the World Population Day should be observed as Human Resources Day, he said population should be converted into resources. Unless the people are empowered, the increase in population will become a crisis in the country, he felt.

MP Nalin Kumar Kateel said the increase in population will lead to poverty and unemployment.

He stressed the need to adopt the small family norm in order to have good economic status and higher literacy rates.

“The population of the country has already reached 120 crores. If the same trend is continued, then India will surpass China to become the most populous country in the world,” he pointed out.

Prizes

The winners of a skit competition organised as a part of World Population Day were awarded on the occasion.

Asha workers who were successful in implementing birth control measures in their area – Asha of Kadaba PHC, Shashiprabha of Panjikallu and Pushpalatha of Vamadapadavu – were given away prizes.

Best health assistants at the district level namely Sujatha, V V Annamma and Jayalakshmi were also given away prizes on the occasion.

Zilla Panchayat President Meenakshi Shanthigodu presided over the programme.