Health and Family Welfare Minister Mohammad Nasim on Tuesday called for concerted efforts to make planned families for crafting a happy and empowered Bangladesh.
“Planned family is essential to control the burden of population and build an empowered nation,” he said.
He was speaking at a discussion organised by the health ministry to mark the World Population Day with the theme “Family Planning: Empowering People, Developing Nations” at Osmani Memorial Hall in the city.
Nasim called upon all concerned to create awareness at the grassroots regarding reproductive healthcare, family planning, maternal and child healthcare services.
Secretary of Health Education and Family Planning M Sirajul Islam division presided over the programme while Secretary for Health Services Department Sirajul Haque Khan, Director General of Directorate General of Health Service (DGHS) Prof Dr Abul Kalam Azad spoke among others.
The health minister urged the private organisations, media, individuals and institutions to come forward in this regard alongside the government.
“It’s time to discourage having more children and turn our huge young manpower into human resources,” he added.
State Minister Zahid Maleque said, “Family planning is a pre-requisite for progress in any country… Small family would play a vital role in making a happy and prosperous nation”.
The World Population Day is observed on July 11 every year to create awareness about population growth and related issues.
