Odisha's Bold Move: Launching Population Stabilisation Fortnight to Promote Sustainable Growth
A New Initiative for Population Stabilisation
Bhubaneswar: On Friday, Health and Family Welfare Minister Mukesh Mahaling inaugurated the 'Population Stabilisation Fortnight', a campaign designed to engage citizens in promoting sustainable population growth. He highlighted that the average fertility rate in the state has decreased to 1.8 children per couple, which is lower than both the national average and the replacement level of 2.1.
Moreover, the unmet need for family planning in Odisha has significantly reduced from 13.6% to 7.2%, marking a notable achievement in public health. This information was shared during the state-level World Population Day-2025 event held at Gita Govinda Sadan. In his keynote speech, the minister underscored the significance of family welfare, gender equality, maternal health, and human rights, asserting that stabilising the population is essential for fostering a healthy and prosperous society. He stated, “Rapid population growth hampers development. Through education, awareness, and services, we are witnessing positive changes, with Odisha setting a benchmark.”
The minister acknowledged the contributions of trained service providers, including ASHA workers and community volunteers, who have been instrumental in disseminating vital health and family planning information. To honour their efforts, financial incentives were awarded to health workers, doctors, and nurses, marking the first recognition of its kind under the new government. Several districts were also celebrated for their exemplary performance in family welfare initiatives.
During the event, Mahaling expressed concern over child marriage occurrences in certain regions of the state, stressing that such practices are illegal and lead to early motherhood, which poses significant health risks. He highlighted the necessity of proper birth spacing and educational outreach to improve maternal and child health outcomes. World Population Day, observed globally on July 11, serves as a reminder of the pressing need to tackle population-related issues.
In Odisha, the emphasis is on fostering a healthy and informed society through information-education-communication (IEC) strategies and community engagement. With the commencement of the Population Stabilisation Fortnight, which will run until July 24, Odisha is making a significant stride, setting a precedent for other states in the pursuit of population stabilisation and human development.