India achieved replacement level fertility

Tags: National News

According to Health Ministry data India has achieved replacement level fertility, with as many as 31 States/Union Territories reaching a Total Fertility Rate of 2.1 or less.

Important facts

• Union Minister of State for Health and Family Welfare Dr. Bharati Pravin Pawar informed about the data during National Family Planning Summit 2022. 

• Between 2012 and 2020, India added more than 1.5 crore additional users for modern contraceptives thereby increasing their use substantially.

• Between 2012 and 2020, the number of additional people using modern contraceptives in India increased by more than 15 million, leading to a significant increase in contraceptive use.

• India quickly understood the importance of family planning and became the first country to start a national program in this regard in 1952.

What is Replacement Level Fertility?

• It is the level of fertility at which a population exactly replaces itself from one generation to the next.

• The rate is around 2.1 children per woman in most countries, although it can vary with mortality.

Government initiative

• Mission Parivar Vikas (MPV) launched in 2016 has given further impetus to the National Family Planning Programme.

• Under this scheme, innovative strategies like distribution of new initiative kits, Saas Bahu Sammelan and Sarathi Vans are helping in family planning.

• Over 17 lakh Naya Pahal kits have been distributed to newlyweds, over 7 lakh Saas Bahu Sammelans have been organised, and over 32 lakh customers have been mentored through Sarathi Vans since inception.

India Family Planning 2030 vision document unveiled

• During the event, the Minister also unveiled the India Family Planning 2030 vision document. 

• She also launched the Medical Eligibility Criteria (MEC) Wheel Application, E-Module of Family Planning Logistics Management System (FPLMIS), and Digital Archive on Family Planning under the category of Digital Intervention. 

• He also launched the National Family Planning Helpline Manual, Community Health Officer (CHO) Handbook, and ASHA brochures and leaflets (Family Planning).