Physician and the family welfare concept

Abstract

This working paper owes its origin to a paper presented by the author at the first Regional Conference on the theme of Population Problem and Family Planning Effort, held at Ahmedabad in November 1980. The genesis of the problem is traced to the overall macro-level planning orientation and in particular a belated recognition of the population problem. In qualitative terms the situation was further aggravated by a strong association of family planning at its initial stages with sterilization. The concept of family welfare emerged as late as 1977. The paper examines and projects the role of physicians in the family welfare effort of a community or nation. The definition of physician is a broad-based one and is not confined largely to Allopathic practitioners as in the case of the series of seminars and conferences held on the subject starting with the Stockholm Conference in 1974.