Question : REVIEW OF NATIONAL POLICY ON POPULATION

(a) whether the Government has reviewed the National Policy on Population-2000;

(b) if so, the details alongwith the outcome thereof; and

(c) the follow up action taken by the Government thereon?

THE MINISTER OF STATE FOR HEALTH & FAMILY WELFARE (SHRI DINESH TRIVEDI)

(a) to (c):- India adopted a comprehensive and holistic National Population Policy (NPP), 2000 with clearly articulated objectives, strategic themes and operational strategies. In line with the National Population Policy, 2000 the Government has launched the National Rural Health Mission (NRHM) on 12-04-2005 throughout the country.

Population stabilization is one of the objectives of NRHM. It provides a thrust for reduction of child and maternal mortality and reduction of the fertility rates. The services in remote rural areas along with a wide range of contraceptive choices to meet the unmet demands for reproductive health services which includes delivery, safe abortions, treatment of reproductive tract infections and Family Planning Services. The NRHM also includes the second phase of Reproductive and Child Health Programme (RCH.II) which intends to improve the performance of family welfare by reducing total fertility rate, maternal and infant morbidity and mortality, and unwanted pregnancies. The following initiatives have been taken in pursuance of the objectives of National Population Policy 2000 under National Rural Health Mission, the second phase of Reproductive Child Health (RCH) and Jansankhya Sthirata Kosh to inter alia address the unmet need for contraception and check population growth :-

(i) Fixed day, Fixed Place Family Planning Services round the year encouraged through growing number of 24x7 PHCs and better functioning CHCs and other health facilities under NRHM.

(ii) Increase the basket of choice by systematically and carefully introducing new and effective contraceptives in the programme.

(iii) Compensation Package for Sterilization was increased in September, 2007 i.e. vasectomy from Rs.800/- to Rs.1500/-and tubectomy from Rs.800/- to Rs.1000/- in public facilities and to a uniform amount of Rs.1500/- in accredited private health facilities for all categories in all States for vasectomy.

(iv) Promotion of Intra Uterine Device (IUD) 380A intensively as a spacing method because of its longevity of 10 years and advantages over other IUDs.

(v) No Scalpel Vasectomy is also encouraged to ensure male participation.

(vi) National Family Planning Insurance Scheme was started since November, 2005 to compensate the sterilization acceptors for failures, complications and deaths and also provides indemnity insurance cover to doctors.

(vii) The outreach activities have been taken up through the institution of ASHAs and Monthly Village Health and Nutrition Days under NRHM.

(viii) The Prerna strategy (Responsible Parenthood Practices) of Jansankhya Sthirata Kosh (JSK) aims at promotion of delayed marriage (after the legal age) among girls, by rewarding and publically honouring the women who marry after the legal age and ensure proper spacing in the birth of their children.

(ix) The Santushti strategy provides private sector gynaecologists and vasectomy surgeons an opportunity to conduct sterilization operations in Public Private Partnership (PPP).

(x) A Call Centre operated by JSK on Reproductive, Family Planning and Child Health provides guidance/ authentic information on issues related to reproductive and child health.