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Burma Now Framing Population Policy

After decades of relative Inaction, the Burmese authorities have accepted that the population growth rate can no longer be left to chance

by Minn Thu
SEEMINGLY without meanng to. Burma has reduced its population growth rate from 2.7 per cent to a current 1.88 per cent
This success came about even though family planning remains a hlghly sensitive and culturally taboo subject in this predominantly Buddhist country. It was also achieved without any deal- direction from the government which is still trying to firm up its population policy.
Until recently. Burma apparently did not see the need for a definite policy, at all. Some three decades ago, when other developing nations were beginning to recognise the burdens Inflicted by excessively fast-growing populations. Burma did not consider it had a problem. In fact, in the early 1960s, the country, which has a total land area of 261,228 square miles, believed there was 'Still room for population growth and no need for birth control.
In spite of this, contraceptives like the pill and condoms were available in the country. Doctors were performing sterilisation operations. Poorer families were given official assistance in regulating fertility, through sterilisation, for health and socio-economic reasons.
The law made abortion a criminal offence. Physicians performing an abortion risked not only losing their licences but also being put In jail. But It was known that there were doctors who provided "services” to women who sought to end unwanted pregnancies.
This situation has led to the drop in the population growth rate, which In turn has apparently prompted the government to realise that a clear policy on population is now needed to enhance development efforts.
Health Minister Pc Thein, a physician who was the only civilian In the all-military
Cabinet until he himself became a colonel, says Burma is now trying to determine the best population for the future.
Today's total is officially estimated at 41.552 million. In 1941 there were only 16 million people. The count ts expected to reach 50 million by the year 2000, according to General Chit Swe, agriculture and forests minister.
In line with Its apparent determination to manage population growth more effectively. the government has
moved to implement several measures.
Among other things, child spacing, rather than family planning, has been identified as a priority. Health authorities see child spacing as important in promoting the health and survival of women.
Dr Thein has deplored the rising rates of illegal abortions and maternal deaths. Experts say as many as 40 per cent of maternal deaths In the country are due lo illegal abortions resulting from unwanted pregnancies. This appears to be the highest rate in the world.
Access to information will also be Improved as the authorities recognise that many unwanted pregnancies could be avoided if women only knew what to do. Recent government pronouncements envisage counselling services fof couples and better access to modern methods of contraceptions.
Recent research conducted in Burma generally supports
the new directions the government is taking. Studies have shown that there is a positive attitude towards family planning as people seem to recognise the overall benefit. However, there arc wide gaps between knowledge about family planning and actually practising it.
The pill was found to be the most widely used contraceptive but it was not the most preferred nicthod. Most of those surveyed expressed a preference for the injectables which were, however, inaccessible to many because of high cost.
Despite knowledge. about contraception, health workers found that many Burmese still clung to age-old superstitious beliefs. Many people still believed that pregnancy was beyond human control, so spacing was out of the question.
Some ■ women used traditional indigenous medicines for birth spacing. The medicines are supposed to regulate women’s monthly cycles. Advertisements in privately owned publications suggest that some of these medicines can also Induce abortion.
To reduce the practice of illegal and dangerous abortions. experts stress the need to provide women with access to information about modern methods In order to avoid unwanted pregnancies.
Burma’s cautious initiatives are drawing the support of international organisations. The United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) is reportedly willing to play the role of broker between the government and international nongovernment organisations (NGOs) in the field of health.
The International Planned Parenthood Federation (IPPFj and other NGOs have already conducted sessions with health workers to update them on developments in the population field. — Depthnews Asia