Chennai: Tamil Nadu Health and Family Welfare Minister Arunraj on Saturday urged couples to consider having more children, citing a steady decline in birth rates and fertility indicators in the state.
Speaking to reporters on the sidelines of a two-day conference organised by the South Indian Obstetrics and Gynaecology Association in Chennai, the minister said the birth rate in government hospitals has been falling year after year. He noted that it has dropped from 65.8% in 2017–18 to 51% at present.
To improve deliveries in government facilities, Arunraj said the state has introduced the “Thaymaman Thanga Modhiram” scheme. He also referred to reports that the fertility rate in Tamil Nadu has fallen from 2.1 to 1.4, warning that society is gradually ageing and stating that 16% of the population is above 66 years.
Responding to criticism that the government is merely rebranding earlier schemes, the minister said welfare measures should continue regardless of which administration introduced them. He added that he would speak in detail in the Assembly about three private colleges receiving deemed university status.
On medical education, Arunraj said the previous administration’s mistakes had affected reservation in medical admissions, but the current government has secured 50 additional seats in three government medical colleges. He also said a fresh inquiry committee has been formed to examine complaints that 10 private medical colleges have been collecting fees for more than four-and-a-half years, and action would follow once the report is received.
