Sikkim, ICMR-NIRRCH Partner To Study Declining Birth Rate

A two-day project coordination meeting was held on January 6-7 at the Indian Council of Medical Research – National Institute for Research in Reproductive and Child Health (ICMR-NIRRCH), Mumbai, to launch 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”.

Funded by ICMR-NIRRCH and undertaken with technical support from ICMR-NIRRCH and the International Institute of Health Management Research (IIHMR), the study is being conducted in collaboration with the Government of Sikkim and partner institutions.

It aims to examine fertility trends and their determinants in Sikkim, while assessing the preparedness of the state health system to meet reproductive health and infertility-related needs. Findings are expected to inform evidence-based policy and programme design amid Sikkim’s demographic transition.

The meeting finalised project coordination mechanisms, timelines, and responsibilities, while 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 the institutional collaboration.

The next phase will see the commencement of field activities, implementation of monitoring arrangements, and periodic technical reviews. Interim findings will be shared with stakeholders to guide policy and programme responses.

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