State health dept distributes condoms to guest workers

The Bihar health department has started distributing free condoms to guest workers who have completed their mandatory 14 days of the quarantine period.

According to officials here, the scheme has been launched to promote family planning in the state.

As per an assessment, over 30 lakh guest workers have returned to Bihar after the countrywide lockdown was imposed by the Centre in March. A large number of such workers have lost their jobs and are hoping to look for livelihood in their home state of Bihar.

In May, the state government had asked its officials to do skill profiling of guest workers who have returned and also assured them jobs under various schemes.

“Guest workers who completed their mandatory quarantine period were given family planning kit while they were leaving the camp. Officials and workers who are working in the districts have also been asked to launch a door to door campaign to create more awareness about family planning and population control,” a senior Bihar health society official told this newspaper.

Reports suggest that the distribution work of family planning kit was carried out by the state health society workers in various districts, including Gopalganj, Saran, Samastipur, Supaul, and Rohtas and East Champaran.

“Giving health tips and creating awareness about family planning and population control is the responsibility of every citizen. Such kind of steps will only benefit our country,” Gopalganj civil surgeon T.N. Singh told this newspaper.

A state government official who is aware of the campaign, however, clarified that “the move is part of our family planning measure and has nothing to with the coronavirus crisis in the state. Population control is a serious issue.”