In a significant push to improve child sex ratio figures, Haryana's top health official has set a clear and time-bound target for the state. Sudhir Rajpal, the Additional Chief Secretary (Health), has directed department officials to strive for achieving a sex ratio of 920 by December 31, 2024.
Weekly Review Meeting Sets the Agenda
The directive was issued during the weekly meeting of the state task force, which is specifically constituted to monitor and improve the sex ratio in Haryana. The meeting, chaired by Rajpal, saw the presence of several senior health officers including R S Dhillon, Secretary of the Health Department, and Dr. Manish Bansal, the Director General of Health Services. Other notable attendees were Dr. Kuldeep Singh and Dr. Virender Yadav.
Rajpal acknowledged the consistent improvement in the state's sex ratio, attributing it to the sustained efforts of the officers on the ground. He provided concrete data to highlight the progress: while the sex ratio stood at 907 on November 15, 2024, it has since increased to 916. This marks a nine-point improvement in a relatively short period.
Focus on Registration and Migrant Populations
Building on this momentum, Rajpal encouraged the team to intensify their work to reach the new target of 920. A key strategy emphasized was ensuring the registration of all newborn births, a critical step for accurate data and effective policy implementation.
He gave special instructions to focus on areas where registration numbers are typically low. "Particularly in the areas with a migrant population," Rajpal stated, officials must ensure comprehensive registration. For slum areas, he proposed practical solutions like organising special camps and creating awareness among residents.
Ensuring Timely Benefits for Families
This push for universal birth registration is not just about statistics. Rajpal highlighted a crucial human benefit: ensuring that families can receive government benefits in a timely manner. Proper documentation from birth is often the first step for a child and family to access various welfare schemes and entitlements provided by the state.
The meeting concluded with a clear mandate for the health department machinery to ramp up its efforts in the remaining weeks of the year. The task force will continue its weekly reviews to track progress toward the ambitious yet achievable goal of a 920 sex ratio, marking another milestone in Haryana's journey toward gender balance.
