Chief Minister Prem Singh Tamang announced “Vatsalya” scheme to aid Rs 3 lakhs to childless mother for In vitro fertilization (IVF) Treatment.
Expressing serious concern on declining fertility rate in Sikkim the Chief Minister PS Tamang today announced new “ VATSALYA” scheme which would help on IVF treatment of those women who cannot conceive.
While addressing the gathering in the inaugural ceremony of Soreng District on April 7 Chief Minister Prem Singh Tamang announced the ‘Vatsalya’ scheme for declining fertility rate of Sikkim in which he said, “ This scheme would cover those women in government jobs through Health Department and others under Chief Minister Medical Assistance” said the Chief Minister while addressing a function at Soreng in West Sikkim. Financial assistance of 3 Lakhs in two parts first of 1 Lakh and second of 2 Lakhs shall be given for the IVF treatment.”
Furthermore, he said that criteria would be that the beneficiaries must be Sikkim Subject / COI or Residential Certificate holders.
In 2020, fertility rate of India was 2.2 births per woman. Fertility rate of India fell gradually from 5.5 births per woman in 1971 to 2.2 births per woman in 2020.
Likewise in case of Sikkim fertility rate has also been declining. In 1998-99 the rate was 2.5, 2.1 in the year 2005-06 and 2019-2020 the rate came down to 1.1