In Sikkim, DC Soreng met with a team from the Regional Resource Centre for North Eastern States (RRCNE) under the NITI Aayog Aspirational Block Programme.

During the meeting, the DC emphasized the importance of addressing mental health       alongside physical well-being, advocating for open discussions and strategies to manage mental health issues without stigma.

She also expressed concerns about the district’s low fertility rate and recommended an empirical study to understand the issue comprehensively. Additionally, she suggested training for ASHA and Anganwadi workers to raise awareness at the grassroots level.

Before the meeting, the RRCNE team and district officers visited a Health & Wellness Centre (HWC) in Chota Samdung as part of the Aspirational Block Programme, assessing the facility and interacting with staff and patients.

The RRCNE team included Dr Arya Kumar and Mr Amit Raj Roy.