Six individuals and organizations received Excellence Awards in Paikgachha, Khulna, during World Population Day celebrations for their contributions to family planning and public health.
Speaking at the event, Upazila Family Planning Officer Abdullah Al Mamun said the population growth rate in Paikgachha stands at 1.27%, lower than the national rate of 1.33%. He credited the achievement to the continuous efforts of local family planning staff.
According to the Bangladesh Bureau of Statistics' 2022 data, the upazila had a population of 286,209, which has now exceeded 300,000. The local population density is 696 people per square kilometre, compared with the national average of 1,171.
Mamun also said the upazila has 59,400 eligible couples, of whom 44,587 use family planning services, resulting in an adoption rate of 75.05%. While this reflects significant progress, it remains below the national target of 85%.
The discussion and award ceremony was jointly organized by the Upazila Administration and the Upazila Family Planning Department at the Upazila Parishad auditorium on World Population Day. Upazila Executive Officer Wasiuzzaman Chowdhury attended as chief guest, alongside officials from the health, agriculture, fisheries, livestock, education and law enforcement departments.
Certificates and crests were presented to six award recipients for outstanding performance during the past year. The honourees were Family Welfare Assistant Binapani Mandal, Family Planning Inspector Obaidullah Sardar, Family Welfare Inspector Smita Rani Das, Deputy Assistant Community Medical Officer Manas Biswas, Kapilmuni Union Parishad, and Kapilmuni Union Health and Family Welfare Centre.
