Sikkim govt partners with AIIMS New Delhito establish ART facility at STNM Hospital

GANGTOK, :The Government of Sikkim today signed a technical partnership agreement with All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), New Delhi, to set up and operationalise an Assisted Reproductive Technology (ART) facility at STNM Hospital, Socheygang.

The agreement was signed under the Sikkim INSPIRES initiative of State Planning & Development department.

The Memorandum of Understanding was signed by Government of Sikkim representatives Dr. Suresh Madan Rasaily, additional medical superintendent, STNM Hospital, and Rohini Pradhan, programme director, Sikkim INSPIRES, and AIIMS officials Dr. Nikhil Tandon, director; Dr.Neena Malhotra, head, Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology; Dr. Radhika Tandon, dean (Research); and Dr.Girija Prasad Rath, registrar.

Also present were WHO India representatives Dr. Richa Kandpal and Dr. Pragati, who are supporting the State’s reproductive health programme, along with Roshnila Gurung, assistant director, Sikkim INSPIRES.

Under the agreement, AIIMS will provide comprehensive technical support covering (a) training and capacity building for medical and technical personnel, including gynaecologists (infertility specialists), andrologists, embryologists, nurses, counsellors, administrative staff, and other technical teams; (b) handholding support for setting up and operationalising a state-of-the-art ARTfacility at STNM Hospital; and (c) guidance on clinical protocols, quality assurance, and operational best practices for ART services.

The ART unit is currently under construction on the 8th floor of STNM Hospital and is expected to be operational by the end of 2026. Once functional, the facility will provide infertility diagnosis and treatment services within the State, reducing the need for residents to travel to private clinics outside Sikkim and making specialised reproductive healthcare significantly more accessible and affordable, informs a press release.