States » EastPosted at: Oct 5 2026 5:22PM


Rs 167.90 crore DoNER gap funding for Sikkim government medical college

Gangtok, Oct 5 (UNI) A gap funding of Rs 167.90 crore has been provided by the Ministry of Development of North Eastern Region (DoNER), Government of India, under the PM-DevINE scheme for the Helen Lepcha Sikkim Government Medical College at Sichey in East Sikkim, union Minister of State for Education and DoNER Sukanta Majumdar said during his visit to the institution on Monday.
Union Minister, Majumdar, who is on a two-day official visit to Sikkim, visited the State's first government medical college and reviewed its infrastructure, academic facilities and healthcare-related arrangements. The visit formed part of his programme to inspect projects being implemented under PM-DevINE and those supported by DoNER, the North Eastern Council (NEC) and the Sikkim government.
Speaking on the significance of the project, Majumdar said the establishment of the medical college marked an important milestone in strengthening medical education and healthcare services in Sikkim.
The institution, he said, would create new opportunities for young people aspiring to pursue medical education not only from Sikkim but also from across the Northeast.
The college has provision for an annual intake of 100 MBBS students. Its establishment is expected to enable students from the state to pursue medical education closer to home while also contributing to the development of trained human resources for the region.
Majumdar expressed gratitude to Prime Minister Narendra Modi for according continuous importance to strengthening healthcare, medical education and human resource development in the Northeast.
He said the support extended by the Government of India would provide greater opportunities to Sikkim's younger generation to pursue medical education within the state and subsequently contribute to strengthening the region's healthcare infrastructure.
He further said that the integration of the medical college with improved hospital services would help enhance both healthcare delivery and the quality of medical education in Sikkim.
During the visit, Majumdar was given an overview of the institution and its infrastructure. Dean Dr Bikram Kharga briefed him on the various facilities and components of the campus. The Minister subsequently interacted with students of the first batch of the medical college.
The Helen Lepcha Sikkim Government Medical College was virtually inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on April 28, 2026. It has been named after Helen Lepcha (1902–1980), a noted freedom fighter from Sangmoo, Assangthang in present-day Namchi district. She had participated in the Non-Cooperation Movement and the Quit India Movement and was awarded the Tamra Patra by the Government of India in 1972.
The campus has a comprehensive academic building as its central facility, along with residential and accommodation infrastructure. Sports and recreational facilities include a basketball court, volleyball court, gymnasium and indoor badminton court.
The Dean's briefing assumes significance as the institution has now begun its first academic session. The first batch of 80 MBBS students was formally inducted at a White Coat Ceremony last month.
The Sikkim government has said that 100 MBBS seats have been approved by the National Medical Commission, with the institution representing a major expansion of medical education opportunities in the state.
Majumdar also held a courtesy meeting with Sikkim Lok Sabha MP Indra Hang Subba during his visit. Later, he met Sikkim Governor Om Prakash Mathur at Lok Bhavan as part of his official programme.
The Minister's visit is part of the Centre's ongoing engagement with development projects in the Northeast, with particular emphasis on infrastructure, education, healthcare and human resource development.
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