Study flags high secondary infertility in Mizoram; state links up with private IVF provider
A 2026 study that analysed National Family Health Survey-5 (NFHS-5) data has estimated that Mizoram has the highest prevalence of secondary infertility in India at 33.9%. The same analysis placed Meghalaya at 28.1% and Ladakh at 25.2%, highlighting a concentrated burden in the northeastern region and certain hill territories.
Secondary infertility is defined as difficulty conceiving following a previous pregnancy. The NFHS-5 data used in the study were collected between 2019 and 2021. The study underlines the need to strengthen reproductive-health services and improve access to fertility care for couples in affected areas.
State moves to expand access under MUHCS
In response to access and cost barriers to specialised fertility care, the Mizoram State Health Care Society has empanelled Birla Fertility & IVF under the Mizoram Universal Healthcare Scheme (MUHCS). Under the arrangement, eligible couples will be able to receive government-supported in‑vitro fertilisation (IVF) treatment at Birla’s Guwahati centre.
The empanelment also includes provision of outpatient department (OPD) fertility consultations within Aizawl, enabling initial assessments and guidance to be sought inside the state. Couples who are advised by local practitioners to undergo IVF are required to approach the office of the Chief Medical Officer (CMO), Aizawl to begin the referral and authorisation process under MUHCS. Once approvals are granted, treatment at the Guwahati centre can proceed with costs covered as per MUHCS provisions.
"The empanelment would help address financial barriers to specialised fertility treatment," said Abhishek Aggrawal, chief executive officer of Birla Fertility & IVF.
Birla Fertility officials said they would coordinate with the state health society to expand access to evidence-based fertility consultations and treatments through the Guwahati facility and OPD services in Aizawl. Kalpana Jain, a fertility specialist at the Guwahati centre, cautioned that delays in seeking specialist care can postpone diagnosis of underlying reproductive conditions and appropriate management.
National and global context
The World Health Organization estimates that infertility affects roughly one in six people of reproductive age at some point in their lives. In India, the costs related to consultations, diagnostic investigations and assisted reproductive technologies often limit access to specialised care for many couples.
Public schemes such as MUHCS that empanel private providers can reduce out-of-pocket expenditure for eligible beneficiaries, but the extent of financial protection depends on scheme design and authorisation processes. The empanelment of a Guwahati centre with local OPD support in Aizawl aims to bridge geographic and financial gaps for Mizo couples needing fertility services.
Practical information for couples in Mizoram
Officials have outlined the following steps for couples advised to consider IVF under MUHCS:
- Seek an initial consultation with a local practitioner in Mizoram who can assess the couple and recommend specialised care where appropriate.
- If IVF is advised, approach the office of the Chief Medical Officer (CMO), Aizawl, to initiate referral and authorisation under MUHCS.
- Upon approval, access IVF treatment at the empanelled Birla Fertility & IVF centre in Guwahati, with costs covered under applicable MUHCS provisions for eligible beneficiaries.
State-level figures
The study’s key regional prevalence estimates for secondary infertility included:
| State / Union Territory | Estimated secondary infertility prevalence |
|---|---|
| Mizoram | 33.9% |
| Meghalaya | 28.1% |
| Ladakh | 25.2% |
What experts say
According to the statements released by the empanelled centre, bringing consultations closer to the state through OPD services will allow earlier detection of treatable reproductive conditions. Fertility specialists warn that postponing specialist evaluation can reduce the chance of successful intervention for some causes of infertility.
While the empanelment expands options for eligible couples, officials and clinicians emphasise that timing, proper diagnosis and adherence to standard clinical pathways remain critical to outcomes. The state’s move to integrate a specialised provider within MUHCS is intended to reduce financial barriers and improve timely access, particularly for couples who would otherwise find interstate travel and treatment costs prohibitive.
Health administrators in Aizawl can be approached for details on eligibility criteria, referral paperwork and the authorisation timeline under MUHCS. Couples are advised to obtain comprehensive counselling and to discuss diagnostic steps, potential success rates and risks with qualified fertility specialists before initiating assisted reproductive procedures.
