Sikkim CM Prem Singh Tamang emphasized healthcare expansion as a key priority in his Republic Day address on January 26, highlighting the state’s progress in creating a comprehensive, multi-tiered healthcare system.
He highlighted that over the past years, Sikkim has transitioned from a primarily primary care-based system to a network linking Primary Health Centres, Community Health Centres, District Hospitals, and advanced tertiary and super-speciality institutions.
The New Sir Thutob Namgyal Memorial Hospital at Sochakgang now serves as the state’s premier tertiary centre, offering neurosurgery, cardiology, nephrology, gastroenterology, urology, paediatric surgery, plastic surgery, and cardiothoracic and vascular surgery. Complex procedures, including cancer surgeries, cardiac interventions, and joint replacements, are now available within the state, reducing the need for patients to travel outside Sikkim.
A major milestone has been the establishment of the state’s first Tertiary Cancer Care Centre, while dialysis services have been expanded across multiple districts to strengthen renal care. District hospitals, including the 500-bed Namchi District Hospital and facilities in Singtam, Pakyong, and Mangan, are enhancing healthcare access, alongside upgrades to Primary Health Centres and sub-centres in disaster-affected and remote areas.
Sikkim is also building its healthcare workforce, with the State Medical College at Sochakgang planned to admit 100 MBBS students annually. Infrastructure improvements such as modern operation theatres, intensive care units, neonatal care, trauma services, digital hospital systems, and mobile clinics are extending quality care to even the most remote regions.
Financial protection schemes are central to the healthcare strategy. The Mukhya Mantri Swasthya Suvidha Yojana ensures treatment access for all residents, including both BPL and APL families, while the Chief Minister’s Medical Assistance Scheme supports catastrophic illnesses, and the Hamro Dawai Dokan initiative provides free medicines for chronic and life-threatening conditions. The Vatsalya scheme offers financial assistance for IVF treatment, benefiting over 300 couples so far.
Addressing rising cancer incidence, Sikkim has partnered with national institutions such as ICMR, DBT, DHR, and AIIMS to implement large-scale screening and early detection programs for breast, oral, stomach, and cervical cancers. HPV vaccination will be provided free to all 14-year-old girls, and self-testing kits will be made available for women aged 30–65, with priority given to vulnerable populations.
These initiatives reflect Sikkim’s commitment to an inclusive, resilient healthcare system, ensuring access to quality care, preventive services, and financial protection for all citizens across the state.
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