On World Population Day, Planned Parenthood is Key to Maternal and Child Health Says JP Nadda
New Delhi: On the occasion of World Population Day, Union Health Minister JP Nadda emphasised the role of planned parenthood in improving maternal and child health. In a message shared on social media platform X, he said that family planning remains central to India’s public health goals.
“World Population Day serves as a platform to raise awareness about family planning and renew our commitment to addressing population-related challenges,” Nadda posted. He added, “This year’s theme highlights the importance of planned parenthood for healthy outcomes for maternal and child health.”
This year’s theme is “Healthy Timing and Spacing of Pregnancy for the Health and Well-being of Mother and Child.” The Minister also highlighted the official slogan for 2025: “माँ बनने की उम्र वही, जब तन और मन की तैयारी सही”, which translates to “The right age to become a mother is when the mind and the body are ready.”
Nadda said the message underscores the importance of physical and emotional preparedness when making decisions about parenthood. “The slogan emphasises the importance of informed and empowered decisions for parenthood with physical and emotional preparedness,” he stated.
He further mentioned that government-run health services, including Ayushman Arogya Mandirs, are offering essential family planning services throughout the country. “These centres are empowering families and paving the way for a healthier India,” he said.
India’s population is now over 1.46 billion, making it the world’s most populous nation.
Poonam Muttreja, Executive Director of the Population Foundation of India, also shared her views, calling for a shift in focus. “India’s population story is not one of crisis, but of possibility, if we invest in women, young people, and address the needs of our growing elderly population.”
Highlighting the country’s declining fertility rate, Muttreja stressed that “the focus must be on quality healthcare, education, skilling, and job creation. True development and economic growth doesn’t come from forcibly influencing reproductive decisions, but from empowering individuals especially women to make informed choices about their bodies and lives.”
(With inputs from IANS)
Jyoti Kumari joined Medical Dialogues in 2025 as a Journalism Intern. She holds a Bachelor's degree in Mass Communication from the Delhi School of Journalism, University of Delhi. She is passionate about news reporting, content creation, social media, and emerging media trends.