Planned Parenthood Essential For Maternal & Child Health: JP Nadda On World Population Day

On the occasion of World Population Day, observed annually on 11 July, Union Health Minister JP Nadda highlighted the crucial role of planned parenthood in improving maternal and child health across India.

Theme of World Population Day 2025: “Empowering young people to create the families they want in a fair and hopeful world.”

Posting on social media platform X, Nadda described the day as a reminder of the importance of family planning in shaping a healthier and more empowered society.

“World Population Day serves as a platform to raise awareness about family planning and renew our commitment to addressing population-related challenges. This year’s theme, “Healthy Timing and Spacing of Pregnancy for the Health and Well-being of Mother and Child,” highlights the importance of planned parenthood for healthy outcome for maternal and child health.”

Nadda reiterated the core message of the 2025 campaign, underlining that informed and timely decisions regarding parenthood are vital for the physical and emotional well-being of both mothers and children.

Empowering families through healthcare

Emphasising the slogan, “माँ बनने की उम्र वही, जब तन और मन की तैयारी सही” – meaning “The right age to become a mother is when the body and mind are fully prepared,” the minister stressed the importance of empowering individuals, especially women, to make conscious decisions about parenthood.

He cited public health facilities such as the Ayushman Arogya Mandirs as key centres in delivering essential family planning services throughout the country.

“These facilities are not just delivering services—they are empowering families and paving the way for a healthier India,” Nadda stated, reflecting the government’s broader aim to build a sustainable healthcare ecosystem.

India, now the world’s most populous nation with over 1.46 billion people, continues to grapple with population-related challenges.

However, experts suggest shifting the conversation from numbers to opportunity.

Poonam Muttreja, Executive Director of the Population Foundation of India, called for investment in women, youth, and the elderly rather than focusing solely on population control.

“India’s population story is not one of crisis, but of possibility,” Muttreja said. “We must focus on improving healthcare, education, and employment, and respect individual reproductive choices.”

She advocated for policies that promote gender equality and shared responsibility in parenting and family planning decisions.

World Population Day 2025 serves as a renewed call to action, emphasising that true progress lies not in coercive methods but in informed, autonomous decisions.

By combining accessible health infrastructure with empowerment and education, India moves closer to ensuring better health outcomes and greater dignity for all its citizens.

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