Saturday, Jan 10, 2026 23:30 [IST]
Last Update: Friday, Jan 09, 2026 18:03 [IST]
GANGTOK, :
A two-day project coordination meeting for the study, titled “Rapid Assessment
of Fertility Trends, Determinants and Preparedness of the State Health System
in Sikkim to Address Low Total Fertility Rate (TFR): A Mixed-Methods Study” was
held on January 6-7 at Indian Council of Medical Research – National Institute
for Research in Reproductive and Child Health (ICMR-NIRRCH), Mumbai.
The study is funded
by ICMR-NIRRCH and is being undertaken with technical engagement from
ICMR-NIRRCH and the International Institute of Health Management Research
(IIHMR), in collaboration with the Government of Sikkim and partner
institutions, informs a press release.
The study seeks to
examine fertility trends and their determinants in Sikkim and assess the
preparedness of the state health system to address infertility and related
reproductive health needs. The findings are expected to support evidence-based
policy formulation and programme design in the context of Sikkim’s demographic
transition.
The meeting was
chaired by ICMR-NIRRCH director Dr. Geetanjali Sachdeva. Dr. Anushree Patil, scientist-F
and head, Clinical Research Division, ICMR-NIRRCH, and principal investigator
of the study, along with teams from ICMR-NIRRCH and IIHMR, participated in the
deliberations.
The Government of
Sikkim was represented by Rohini Pradhan, programme director, Sikkim INSPIRES,
and co-principal investigator of the study, along with Dr. Suresh Madan
Rasaily, additional medical superintendent, STNM Hospital; Dr. Nancy Lhasungpa,
assistant professor, Department of Sociology, Nar Bahadur Bhandari Government
College, Gangtok; Roshnila Gurung, assistant director, Sikkim INSPIRES; and
Paden Sherpa, project research scientist. Project technical support staff also
participated through virtual mode.
During the meeting,
project coordination mechanisms, timelines, and responsibilities were
finalised. Study sites and data collection tools were agreed upon. A Memorandum
of Understanding (MoU) was signed between ICMR-NIRRCH (Mumbai), IIHMR (Delhi),
ICMR-RMRCNE, and the Government of Sikkim to formalise institutional
collaboration.
The next phase of
the project will involve commencement of field activities as per the approved
timeline, implementation of monitoring arrangements, and periodic technical
reviews. Interim findings will be shared with stakeholders to inform policy and
programme responses, the release adds.
