Gangtok: The Sikkim Health Department has unveiled a new, round-the-clock emergency helpline system, a significant step towards ensuring swift medical support and readily available health information for all residents. G.T. Dhungel, the state’s Health and Family Welfare Minister, announced this crucial initiative, emphasizing its vital role in bridging the gap between the public and healthcare services.
At the heart of this initiative is a dedicated control room, fortified with CCTV surveillance, designed to act as a central hub for addressing public concerns received through various channels, including direct calls, social media platforms like Facebook, and even newspaper reports. This proactive approach aims to identify and resolve issues promptly, ranging from hospital emergencies and accidents to concerns about cleanliness and water supply within healthcare facilities.
Minister Dhungel underscored the unwavering operational capacity of the new system, stating, “We now have a system in place that works 24 hours a day, seven days a week.” He further elaborated on the preparedness of the staff, equipped with mobile communication and the ability to monitor situations through CCTV, enabling rapid response and necessary improvements across the healthcare infrastructure.
The Health Department has provided two easily accessible helpline numbers, 9002433135 and 9749341334, encouraging the public to reach out at any hour. Officials stationed at the control room are prepared to take immediate action based on the nature of the reported issue, ensuring that help is dispatched efficiently during critical situations such as hospital emergencies, accidents, or natural disasters.
A key focus of the initiative, as highlighted by Minister Dhungel, is public awareness, extending from urban centers to the most remote villages in Sikkim. “This service is not just for us in the government, but for everyone,” he asserted, stressing the importance of residents knowing the location and services offered by their nearest healthcare facilities and understanding how to access help during an emergency.
The department plans to disseminate comprehensive information regarding district hospitals, community health centers, primary health centers, and sub-centers, aiming to empower every individual in Sikkim with the knowledge of where to seek assistance and whom to contact during health crises.
Minister Dhungel also expressed his sincere appreciation to Chief Minister Prem Singh Tamang for his unwavering support in strengthening the state’s healthcare system. He further acknowledged the invaluable contributions of senior officials within the department, particularly Commissioner-cum-Secretary Prabhakar, whose extensive experience and dedication have been instrumental in this endeavor.
Concluding his address, Minister Dhungel conveyed his optimism about the positive impact of this new service, stating, “This is a step towards making our health services more responsive and people-friendly. We hope this will bring much-needed relief to the general public.”
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