COUNTRY:PAPUA NEW GUINEA.

Prime Minister James Marape said that families in Papua New Guinea could soon be advised to have no more than three children.  According to him, the government will introduce a National Family Planning Policy designed to lower PNG’s high birth rate by encouraging families to stick to a maximum of three children. The policy aims to curb uncontrolled demographic expansion, prevent unplanned pregnancies and reduce economic burdens on rural households.

PNG’s National Statistics Office said the country’s total population has reached 10.18 million people, with an average annual population growth rate of 2.6 percent. The government said that annual population growth of more than 180,000 people places severe strain on infrastructure, schools and health services.

The policy was announced by Marape during a visit to the maternity wing at the newly opened Dr Kaven Memorial Hospital in the Pomio district, at Palmalmal Station in East New Britain Province.

“This is to ensure that there is prevention of unplanned pregnancies and births, and families will be encouraged to have no more than three children”— Prime Minister James Marape.

Marape noted that managing the birth rate is essential for generating a long-term positive economic impact for families and protecting the wellbeing of mothers throughout the country.

PHOTO SOURCE: ANDREW KUTAN Author: Egor Sergeev.