Family Welfare Programme

Abstract

Tamil Nadu is the first Indian State to recognize the basic relevance of family planning to national planning. It was given national awards for outstanding work in family planning for every year except 1964 from 1961 to 1967, and from 1973 to 1976. Family planning activity was initiated in large maternity hospitals as a postpartum program. The Medical Termination of Pregnancy Act was first implemented in Tamil Nadu. 141 institutions have been certified for the operation. An oral pill program is being implemented in all the rural and urban family welfare centers including the hospitals. The family welfare program has been fully integrated with the Maternal and Child Health (MCH) program which has created confidence among people that their children will be protected from health hazards. The MCH Schemes are conducted through primary health care (PHC) centers, urban family welfare centers, MCH centers, hospitals, and dispensaries. Dais are trained to improve the techniques of midwifery and aid delivery in a hygienic manner. Dais can also use their influence in the local community to further family planning. It is proposed to establish additional subcenters in selected districts to average 1/center/5000 population. The government continues to sponsor and fund equipment, facilities, and infrastructure to facilitate sterilization operations in primary health centers.