CM Tamang asks STNM Hospital doctors to reduce avoidable outside referrals

Chief Minister Prem Singh Tamang (Golay) has asked specialist and super-specialist doctors at STNM Hospital to exercise greater accountability when referring patients outside Sikkim. Speaking at Mamring in Pakyong district during a programme ahead of the 80th Independence Day celebrations, he said cases that can be treated within the state should not be sent out routinely.

Referral should happen only when care is not available in Sikkim

Tamang said the government has upgraded STNM Hospital’s medical infrastructure and has procured advanced equipment for specialised treatment and surgical procedures. He emphasised that the hospital has been provided with the machinery required for operations, including sophisticated imported equipment when needed.

He also raised concerns about whether some equipment bought on doctors’ recommendations is being utilised properly, given the money spent. The Chief Minister linked the expansion of super-specialist capacity in the state to a clear goal: improving access to quality care near patients’ homes instead of sending them outside Sikkim without strong reasons.

The Chief Minister said outside referrals should be used only when a procedure cannot be done in the state or when the necessary equipment or expertise is not available. If the machine required is not available here, refer the patient, he said, adding that the same principle applies when an operation cannot be performed locally.

Help for treatment and financial support is available through set channels

Tamang noted that travel for treatment outside Sikkim can create heavy financial, physical and emotional strain for patients and their families. He urged health coordinators and party workers present at the event not to bring patients directly to him or other ministers to show access to senior leadership. He said a formal mechanism already exists to route cases for assistance through designated channels such as hospitals, the Jan Kalyan Prakostha and the medical cell, where officials have been assigned to process requests.

He gave examples of how support for procedures like kidney and liver transplants can be facilitated without patients needing to personally meet the Chief Minister. The Chief Minister also directed that constituency-level party offices and authorised personnel should examine cases and send them to the appropriate authorities. After documentation and scrutiny are complete, files requiring final financial or administrative sanction are forwarded for approval.