News & Announcement
Rogi Kalyan Samiti and District Health Society Meeting Convenes at District Hospital, Namchi
Namchi, March 9 (IPR): A meeting of the Rogi Kalyan Samiti (RKS) and District Health Society was convened today at the Conference Hall of the New District Hospital, Namchi, under the chairmanship of Zilla Adhakshya Ms Anjeeta Rajlim.
The meeting was organised with the approval of the competent authority to review the functioning of health services in the district and to deliberate on key issues related to strengthening healthcare delivery mechanisms and improving the overall functioning of the Rogi Kalyan Samiti and District Health Society.
Zilla Adhakshya, Ms Anjeeta Rajlim, in her address underscored the importance of strengthening healthcare efforts from the grassroots level to the district level, emphasising that coordinated work at the ward and GPU levels plays a crucial role in effective planning and service delivery.
She expressed satisfaction that over the past year, the district has witnessed a decline in suicide cases, attributing this improvement to sustained awareness generation and monitoring mechanisms. She highlighted that health must remain a top priority, and that awareness and preventive action should begin at the community level.
Ms Rajlim also stressed the need for better communication and coordination among departments to effectively address emerging health concerns and assured continued support for coordinated district-level management.
She further expressed her gratitude to Chief Minister Mr Prem Singh Tamang for providing Namchi district with a 500-bedded District Hospital, equipped with modern facilities to address healthcare needs. She also urged the public to make full use of these services and called upon the concerned departments to ensure proper management and maintenance of this important healthcare asset for the people of the district.
District Collector, Ms Anupa Tamling, in her address, commended the Health Department for maintaining a strong healthcare system in the district with relatively fewer emerging health concerns. She made special mention of the ASHA workers, acknowledging their heroic and selfless contribution as frontline workers in strengthening community healthcare and awareness.
The DC highlighted a pilot project on mental health awareness, chaired by the Governor of Sikkim Mr Om Prakash Mathur, and supported by the Chief Minister, Mr Prem Singh Tamang. She also informed that Namchi district will be the first in the State to implement the initiative.
She further stated that the ATMIYATA intervention, aimed at strengthening community-based mental health support, is expected to be implemented in the district by April 2026.
Emphasising the need for effective governance, she called for stronger inter-departmental coordination and communication for the successful implementation of the Atal Vayo Abhyuday Yojana, which focuses on providing shelter, healthcare, and financial security for the elderly.
She also referred to the HPV Vaccination Programme launched on 28 February 2026, targeting 14-year-old girls, with the goal of achieving 100% vaccination coverage in the coming years. She further mentioned the upcoming Kichudumra De-addiction Centre, which will soon be functional and is expected to play a significant role in addressing substance abuse among youth and related mental health concerns.
She assured support to the Nikshay Mitra initiative, aimed at providing assistance to TB patients undergoing treatment. Concluding her address, she urged all line departments to strengthen data sharing and analysis for better healthcare planning and decision-making. She expressed concern over the rising incidence of birth defects, stressing the need for timely intervention, policy support, and planning, and encouraged the public to make greater use of health insurance schemes, which can provide critical support during medical emergencies.
At the outset, Chief Medical Officer (CMO) Ms Junita Yonzon presented an overview of the roles and functioning of the Rogi Kalyan Samiti (RKS) and District Health Society (DHS) in the district. She highlighted that the RKS plays a vital role in hospital management, improving patient care services, and addressing institutional needs through community participation.
She further stated that the DHS acts as the nodal body for the implementation and monitoring of various national and state health programmes in the district. She emphasised the importance of regular review, transparent utilisation of funds, and inter-departmental coordination to strengthen healthcare delivery and improve service quality.
A detailed presentation on the District Health Network (DHN) and the status of health services in the district was delivered by the Deputy Medical Superintendent, followed by district performance presentations by the District Programme Officers (DPOs) covering key health programmes, including RCH, NCD, TB, and IEC activities.
District Medical Superintendent, Dr Bishal Pradhan, presented a PowerPoint overview of District Hospital Namchi, highlighting the range of services available to the public, including OPD, IPD, diagnostic, emergency, and specialised medical services. He also briefed the gathering on ongoing infrastructure upgrades and various awareness programmes conducted to promote preventive healthcare, while outlining key government health schemes that ensure accessible and affordable healthcare services for the public.
DRCHO Namchi and Dr BK Chauhan, presented the status of Reproductive and Child Health (RCH) programmes in the district, emphasising maternal and child healthcare, safe institutional deliveries, and improved health outcomes. He highlighted initiatives such as the Janani Shishu Suraksha Karyakram (JSSK), routine immunisation programmes, nutrition support initiatives, and Anaemia Mukt Bharat, which focus on reducing anaemia among women, adolescents, and children through supplementation, screening, and awareness.
District Surveillance Officer-cum-Principal Chief Consultant, Dr Ugyen Sherpa, presented the functioning of the District NCD Cell under the National Programme for Prevention and Control of Non-Communicable Diseases (NP-NCD). He highlighted key services, including the Pradhan Mantri National Dialysis Programme (PMNDP) for CKD patients, NCD screening, STEMI management, District Cancer Control initiatives, NATLD, and stroke management. He also spoke about programmes for priority groups including the National Programme for Health Care of the Elderly (NPHCE), District Mental Health Programme (DMHP), and National Programme for Palliative Care (NPPC). He further informed that Namchi district stands among the highest performing districts in NCD surveillance and programme implementation.
District TB Officer, Dr Pratik Rasaily, presented the tuberculosis status of the district through graphical data on Pulmonary and Extra-Pulmonary TB cases. He highlighted a significant decline in communicable TB cases due to improved screening and treatment efforts, while noting that Drug-Resistant TB, particularly among individuals aged 23–45 years, remains a concern. He also spoke about key national initiatives, including Nikshay Poshan Yojana and the TB Mukt Bharat Abhiyan, informing that the district has achieved nearly 98% TB screening coverage by 2024. Campaigns such as TB Mukt Panchayat were also highlighted for strengthening awareness and screening at ward and GPU levels.
Deputy Director, IEC Cell, Ms Tenzing Chettri, presented a report on the crucial role played by ASHA workers in community outreach and health awareness. She highlighted their contribution in conducting PMJAY camps, NCD screenings, and awareness activities under Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (PMJAY). She further informed that Village Health and Nutrition Days (VHND) conducted during 2025–2026 have achieved 100% of the targeted coverage up to the third quarter of 2026, reflecting the strong commitment of frontline health workers in delivering essential healthcare services.
Present during the meeting were Upa Adhakshya Mr Bikash Tamang, Zilla Panchayats and Zilla Members, Heads of Offices from line departments, representatives from DRISHTI NGO, members of the Rogi Kalyan Samiti, and staff from the health fraternity in Namchi, along with other dignitaries.
The vote of thanks was delivered by Under Secretary, Mr MS Subba, while the programme was conducted by Community Nursing Officer Namchi,Ms Bijay Laxmi Rai.
The meeting was organised with the approval of the competent authority to review the functioning of health services in the district and to deliberate on key issues related to strengthening healthcare delivery mechanisms and improving the overall functioning of the Rogi Kalyan Samiti and District Health Society.
Zilla Adhakshya, Ms Anjeeta Rajlim, in her address underscored the importance of strengthening healthcare efforts from the grassroots level to the district level, emphasising that coordinated work at the ward and GPU levels plays a crucial role in effective planning and service delivery.
She expressed satisfaction that over the past year, the district has witnessed a decline in suicide cases, attributing this improvement to sustained awareness generation and monitoring mechanisms. She highlighted that health must remain a top priority, and that awareness and preventive action should begin at the community level.
Ms Rajlim also stressed the need for better communication and coordination among departments to effectively address emerging health concerns and assured continued support for coordinated district-level management.
She further expressed her gratitude to Chief Minister Mr Prem Singh Tamang for providing Namchi district with a 500-bedded District Hospital, equipped with modern facilities to address healthcare needs. She also urged the public to make full use of these services and called upon the concerned departments to ensure proper management and maintenance of this important healthcare asset for the people of the district.
District Collector, Ms Anupa Tamling, in her address, commended the Health Department for maintaining a strong healthcare system in the district with relatively fewer emerging health concerns. She made special mention of the ASHA workers, acknowledging their heroic and selfless contribution as frontline workers in strengthening community healthcare and awareness.
The DC highlighted a pilot project on mental health awareness, chaired by the Governor of Sikkim Mr Om Prakash Mathur, and supported by the Chief Minister, Mr Prem Singh Tamang. She also informed that Namchi district will be the first in the State to implement the initiative.
She further stated that the ATMIYATA intervention, aimed at strengthening community-based mental health support, is expected to be implemented in the district by April 2026.
Emphasising the need for effective governance, she called for stronger inter-departmental coordination and communication for the successful implementation of the Atal Vayo Abhyuday Yojana, which focuses on providing shelter, healthcare, and financial security for the elderly.
She also referred to the HPV Vaccination Programme launched on 28 February 2026, targeting 14-year-old girls, with the goal of achieving 100% vaccination coverage in the coming years. She further mentioned the upcoming Kichudumra De-addiction Centre, which will soon be functional and is expected to play a significant role in addressing substance abuse among youth and related mental health concerns.
She assured support to the Nikshay Mitra initiative, aimed at providing assistance to TB patients undergoing treatment. Concluding her address, she urged all line departments to strengthen data sharing and analysis for better healthcare planning and decision-making. She expressed concern over the rising incidence of birth defects, stressing the need for timely intervention, policy support, and planning, and encouraged the public to make greater use of health insurance schemes, which can provide critical support during medical emergencies.
At the outset, Chief Medical Officer (CMO) Ms Junita Yonzon presented an overview of the roles and functioning of the Rogi Kalyan Samiti (RKS) and District Health Society (DHS) in the district. She highlighted that the RKS plays a vital role in hospital management, improving patient care services, and addressing institutional needs through community participation.
She further stated that the DHS acts as the nodal body for the implementation and monitoring of various national and state health programmes in the district. She emphasised the importance of regular review, transparent utilisation of funds, and inter-departmental coordination to strengthen healthcare delivery and improve service quality.
A detailed presentation on the District Health Network (DHN) and the status of health services in the district was delivered by the Deputy Medical Superintendent, followed by district performance presentations by the District Programme Officers (DPOs) covering key health programmes, including RCH, NCD, TB, and IEC activities.
District Medical Superintendent, Dr Bishal Pradhan, presented a PowerPoint overview of District Hospital Namchi, highlighting the range of services available to the public, including OPD, IPD, diagnostic, emergency, and specialised medical services. He also briefed the gathering on ongoing infrastructure upgrades and various awareness programmes conducted to promote preventive healthcare, while outlining key government health schemes that ensure accessible and affordable healthcare services for the public.
DRCHO Namchi and Dr BK Chauhan, presented the status of Reproductive and Child Health (RCH) programmes in the district, emphasising maternal and child healthcare, safe institutional deliveries, and improved health outcomes. He highlighted initiatives such as the Janani Shishu Suraksha Karyakram (JSSK), routine immunisation programmes, nutrition support initiatives, and Anaemia Mukt Bharat, which focus on reducing anaemia among women, adolescents, and children through supplementation, screening, and awareness.
District Surveillance Officer-cum-Principal Chief Consultant, Dr Ugyen Sherpa, presented the functioning of the District NCD Cell under the National Programme for Prevention and Control of Non-Communicable Diseases (NP-NCD). He highlighted key services, including the Pradhan Mantri National Dialysis Programme (PMNDP) for CKD patients, NCD screening, STEMI management, District Cancer Control initiatives, NATLD, and stroke management. He also spoke about programmes for priority groups including the National Programme for Health Care of the Elderly (NPHCE), District Mental Health Programme (DMHP), and National Programme for Palliative Care (NPPC). He further informed that Namchi district stands among the highest performing districts in NCD surveillance and programme implementation.
District TB Officer, Dr Pratik Rasaily, presented the tuberculosis status of the district through graphical data on Pulmonary and Extra-Pulmonary TB cases. He highlighted a significant decline in communicable TB cases due to improved screening and treatment efforts, while noting that Drug-Resistant TB, particularly among individuals aged 23–45 years, remains a concern. He also spoke about key national initiatives, including Nikshay Poshan Yojana and the TB Mukt Bharat Abhiyan, informing that the district has achieved nearly 98% TB screening coverage by 2024. Campaigns such as TB Mukt Panchayat were also highlighted for strengthening awareness and screening at ward and GPU levels.
Deputy Director, IEC Cell, Ms Tenzing Chettri, presented a report on the crucial role played by ASHA workers in community outreach and health awareness. She highlighted their contribution in conducting PMJAY camps, NCD screenings, and awareness activities under Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (PMJAY). She further informed that Village Health and Nutrition Days (VHND) conducted during 2025–2026 have achieved 100% of the targeted coverage up to the third quarter of 2026, reflecting the strong commitment of frontline health workers in delivering essential healthcare services.
Present during the meeting were Upa Adhakshya Mr Bikash Tamang, Zilla Panchayats and Zilla Members, Heads of Offices from line departments, representatives from DRISHTI NGO, members of the Rogi Kalyan Samiti, and staff from the health fraternity in Namchi, along with other dignitaries.
The vote of thanks was delivered by Under Secretary, Mr MS Subba, while the programme was conducted by Community Nursing Officer Namchi,Ms Bijay Laxmi Rai.
