Soreng District secures top ranking in health under NITI Aayog’s aspirational district programme

GANGTOK,: Soreng District has secured the number one ranking nationally in the Health & Nutrition theme in the June 2026 quarter Delta Ranking under NITI Aayog’s Aspirational Districts Programme (ADP), marking a significant achievement in the district’s sustained efforts to improve health and nutrition outcomes through focused implementation, convergence and last-mile delivery.

As per the Champions of Change Dashboard, Soreng recorded a Health & Nutrition score of 78.7 and secured first position in the theme in June 2026 quarter. The district also improved its overall Composite Score from 49.5 in January 2026 to 55.5 in June 2026, securing an overall third Delta Rank.

A press release from Soreng district administration informs that the achievement has been driven by the District Administration’s focused attention on the saturation of key Health and Nutrition Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) under the Aspirational Districts Programme. These include antenatal care, institutional deliveries, newborn care, immunisation, TB detection and treatment, strengthening of health facilities, referral services and nutrition interventions.

The Health KPIs monitored under the programme include four or more ANC check-ups, early registration of ANC in the first trimester, coverage of ANC registration, repeated haemoglobin testing, sex ratio at birth, institutional deliveries, skilled attendance during home deliveries, breastfeeding within one hour of birth, low birth weight, birth-weight recording, treatment-seeking for childhood ARI, full immunisation, TB case notification and treatment success, conversion of health facilities into Health & Wellness Centres, IPHS compliance of PHCs, functional First Referral Units, availability of specialist services and quality-certified FRUs with labour rooms and obstetric OTs.

The Nutrition KPIs include supplementary nutrition coverage among pregnant women, reduction of underweight, Severe Acute Malnutrition (SAM) and Moderate Acute Malnutrition (MAM) among children below five years, regular conduct of Village/Urban Health, Sanitation and Nutrition Days, and availability of own buildings for Anganwadi Centres.

Under the administrative supervision Dhiraj Subedi, District Collector, Soreng, the District Administration has placed strong emphasis on regular review of health indicators, inter-departmental convergence, field-level monitoring, identification of gaps and ensuring saturation of eligible beneficiaries and services.

The approach has been to move beyond routine programme implementation and ensure that measurable outcomes reach the last mile, particularly in remote and hard-to-reach areas. The District Administration has worked closely with the Health Department, Women & Child, Senior Citizen and Divangjan Welfare Development Department, Panchayati Raj Institutions, ASHAs, ANMs, frontline workers, SHGs, NGOs and community volunteers to strengthen delivery and community participation.

Under the National Tuberculosis Elimination Programme (NTEP), Soreng has maintained a TB treatment success rate of 94–98%, with the latest reported success rate at 97% (81/83). Under the TB Mukt Bharat Abhiyan, the district conducted 146 Ayushman Arogya Shivirs over nine months and screened 7,636 individuals.

Community mobilisation was undertaken through ASHAs, SHGs, PRIs, NGOs and volunteers, with screening through handheld X-rays and confirmatory sputum NAAT testing. TB screening was also extended to offices, hydropower construction sites, orphanages, old-age homes and Gompas. The district has simultaneously strengthened Nikshay training, laboratory capacity, reporting, field follow-up and treatment adherence.

Focused implementation of RMNCH+A/RCH services has resulted in 100% ANC registration, 99% institutional deliveries and 99% immunisation coverage among children below 15 years, supported by counselling, free transportation, home visits and regular follow-up by ASHAs and health workers.

The district has adopted an integrated approach towards screening for hypertension, diabetes, TB and HIV, with more than 85% of the target population screened for hypertension and diabetes. Outreach camps, home visits and interventions in hard-to-reach areas have been supported by regular reviews and capacity building of healthcare personnel.

The District Administration’s “Hello Mann” initiative, implemented in collaboration with Mental Health Action Trust, Kerala, has brought free mental healthcare closer to communities through weekly clinics at PHCs and home visits for high-need and immobile patients.

The programme has registered 112 patients, recorded 126 patient contacts, including 13 camp counselling contacts, and currently has 91 patients under active treatment.

“The first position in Health & Nutrition is a reflection of sustained district-level leadership, systematic monitoring and the collective efforts of the health system and community. The District Administration places on record its appreciation for the Health & Family Welfare Department, Women & Child Development, Senior Citizen and Divangjan Welfare Department, ASHAs, ANMs, frontline workers, PRIs, SHGs, NGOs, partner organisations and the people of Soreng for their contribution,” the release mentions.

District Collector Dhiraj Subedi, has attributed this achievement to the good governance initiative of the state government and continued support and guidance of HCM and MLAs of Soreng District.

The District Administration further acknowledged the prompt response and necessary hand holding that has been always extended by the NITI Aayog.

The District Administration remains committed to sustaining the momentum, closing remaining gaps and achieving saturation of critical health and nutrition indicators, while simultaneously strengthening performance across all five thematic areas of the Aspirational Districts Programme.

The achievement is a significant milestone in Soreng’s journey from an Aspirational District towards an increasingly outcome-oriented, inclusive and people-centred model of district development, the release mentions.