Chief Minister Inaugurates Tertiary Cancer Care Centre in new STNM Hospital

Gangtok: (IPR) Chief Minister Shri Prem Singh Tamang (Golay) inaugurated the Tertiary Cancer Care Centre under the Department of Radiation Oncology at New STNM Hospital, Sochakgang today. The function was hosted by Minister for Health & Family Welfare Department, Dr M.K. Sharma, and Minister for Building & Housing Department, Shri Sanjit Kharel.
The programme had the presence of Minister, Education Department, Shri Kunga Nima Lepcha, Minister for IPR Department Shri L.N. Sharma, MLA Namcheybong Shri Em Prasad Sharma, MLA Martam Rumtek Shri Sonam Venchungpa, Press Advisor to HCM Shri C.P. Sharma, Chairman State Bank of Sikkim Shri D.B. Gurung, Mayor GMC Shri Shakti Singh Choudhary, Additional Chief Secretary, Finance & Planning, Shri V.B. Pathak, Principal Secretary, Health & FW Department, Shri K. Shrinivasulu, Secretary cum DG, Health, Dr P.T. Bhutia, PCC cum MS STNM Dr Passang D. Phempu, Senior officers of the Health Department, Heads of various Departments under New STNM Hospital, Doctors, Nurses, paramedical staff, and officers of the Buildings & Housing Department.
The new infrastructure was executed by Civil Engineers Enterprises Pvt Ltd, Kolkata under turnkey basis.
After inaugurating the facility, the Chief Minister in his address congratulated the Health fraternity in the State and STNM hospital in particular for the much-needed infrastructure. He said that with the establishment of this Tertiary Care Centre, people of Sikkim would not have to travel outside the State to seek cancer-related treatment. He, however, stated that there should be adequate awareness at every level of the society on health-seeking behaviour, which would rule out the occurrence of such life-threatening ailments. He stressed on the need to involve students and the youth to raise awareness among the masses. The Chief Minister stated that the Government has laid the highest priority on the health sector and would facilitate quality health care system at every level. He, however, said that the Government has its limitations, and it is the people who have to maintain a healthy lifestyle. Referring to frequent report on social media about lack of adequate management in the Hospital, the Chief Minister announced that the Government will soon constitute a separate management team headed by an efficient officer of the State Government so that issues such as hygiene and public grievances, safety and security, and other issues can be addressed without disturbing the routine of doctors. The Chief Minister also informed that a separate police outpost has been set up at the premises of the Hospital to ensure the safety of the hospital staff and property. The Chief Minister further suggested that an emergency OPD can be set up at the old STNM to cater to outpatients, which he said would reduce the load on the new hospital.
Minister for Health & Family Welfare, Dr M.K. Sharma in his address said that the department is doing its best to ensure improvement in the primary health care services to avoid load on tertiary care centres. He reiterated the commitment of the Government to offer the best of medical facilities to the people of Sikkim.
Earlier, Principal Secretary, Health & FW, Shri K. Shrinivasulu in his welcome address expressed the Department’s gratitude to the Government and the Chief Minister for inaugurating this much-needed facility, and for laying great emphasis on the health sector in the State. He said that the Tertiary Care Centre will be a huge boon to people as they would not have to make referrals to hospitals outside the State, which will improve their economic health as well.
Dr Ashish Rai, HOD, Oncology Department, STNM, made a PowerPoint presentation and explained how the Cancer Care Centre ran from an inadequate facility in the old STNM Hospital and has now evolved into a state-of-the-art facility inaugurated today. He said that the newly inaugurated Centre is the best in the northeastern region and is comparable to the best centres in big cities. He expressed his gratitude to the Government for inaugurating the facility for the people of Sikkim. Dr Ashish also shared the statistics of cancer prevalence in the State and details of the number of people seeking treatment.
The programme concluded with vote of thanks proposed by PCC cum MS STNM Hospital, Dr Passang D. Phempu.