New Delhi: India has achieved a Total Fertility Rate (TFR) of 2.0, as per the National Family Health Survey-5 (2019-21), the Union government informed on Tuesday. This milestone aligns with the targets outlined in the National Population Policy 2000 and the National Health Policy 2017, which aimed for a TFR of 2.1.
In a written reply to the Rajya Sabha, Union Minister of State for Health and Family Welfare, Anupriya Patel, stated that this achievement reflects the success of various government initiatives under the family planning programme. These programmes have expanded contraceptive options, including condoms, oral contraceptive pills, emergency contraceptive pills, intrauterine contraceptive devices (IUCDs), and sterilisation, according to IANS.
Patel highlighted the introduction of new contraceptive methods such as the injectable contraceptive MPA under the Antara Programme and the Centchroman pill under the Chhaya initiative. Additionally, Mission Parivar Vikas is being implemented in seven high-focus states and six North-Eastern states to enhance access to contraceptives and family planning services.
To address financial concerns, the government provides compensation to sterilisation acceptors to offset wage loss, Patel noted. Post-pregnancy contraceptive methods, including Post-Partum Intrauterine Contraceptive Devices (PPIUCDs), Post-Abortion Intrauterine Contraceptive Devices (PAIUCDs), and Post-Partum Sterilisation (PPS), are also offered as part of the programme.
Awareness campaigns such as the ‘World Population Day Campaign’ and ‘Vasectomy Fortnight’ are conducted annually across states to promote family planning services, according to IANS. Furthermore, the Family Planning Logistics Management Information System (FP-LMIS) is in place to ensure efficient management of family planning commodities at all healthcare levels.
Separately, Union Minister of State for Health and Family Welfare, Prataprao Jadhav, informed the Rajya Sabha that approximately 16,586 health facilities have been accredited with the National Quality Assurance Standards (NQAS). These standards, developed by the health ministry, ensure the quality of healthcare services provided at public facilities.
Jadhav further highlighted that in June this year, NQAS was extended to Integrated Public Health Laboratories (IPHLs) to improve the accuracy and reliability of diagnostic processes and outcomes. These measures, as per IANS, reflect the government’s commitment to improving healthcare services nationwide.
The combined efforts under the family planning programme and healthcare quality initiatives underscore India’s progress in achieving critical health and population milestones.