GANGTOK, August 21, 2025: In a major step towards strengthening emergency healthcare services in Sikkim, Chief Minister Prem Singh Tamang (Golay) on Thursday flagged off the expansion of the state’s 102 and 108 Ambulance Services, an initiative of the Department of Health and Family Welfare. The programme was held in the presence of Health Minister G.T. Dhungel, Health Secretary Tshewang Gyachho Bhutia, and senior officials from the Health Department and Mechanical Cell.
The expansion aims to improve emergency medical response and ensure faster access to healthcare services, particularly in remote and underserved areas of the state. As part of the initiative, nine new ambulances have been added to the existing fleet, significantly enhancing the state’s capacity to respond to medical emergencies.
Under the distribution plan, one ambulance has been allocated to Gangtok, two to Pakyong, and six to Namchi district, strengthening healthcare outreach across multiple regions.
Sikkim has adopted an integrated ambulance model by combining the 102 and 108 emergency services to ensure optimum utilization of resources and efficient service delivery. Residents can access the services free of cost by dialing the toll-free numbers 102 or 108.
The 102 Ambulance Service is primarily dedicated to transporting pregnant women and sick neonates up to one year of age, ensuring timely maternal and child healthcare support. Meanwhile, the 108 Ambulance Service focuses on trauma cases, accidents, and other medical emergencies requiring immediate attention.
In addition to emergency transportation, the upgraded ambulance network will provide several patient-centric services, including free pick-up and drop to designated health facilities, inter-facility transfers for patients requiring specialized treatment, and drop-back services for postnatal mothers and newborn infants.
Addressing the gathering, Chief Minister Tamang said the expansion reflects the state government’s continued commitment to making quality healthcare accessible to all citizens. He emphasized that vulnerable groups, especially mothers, infants, and patients in remote areas, should have timely access to reliable medical transportation.
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“Our priority is to ensure that every citizen receives prompt medical assistance when needed. Strengthening ambulance services is an important step toward improving healthcare delivery across Sikkim,” he said.
Health officials expressed confidence that the additional ambulances would help reduce delays in emergency response, improve patient outcomes, and enhance the overall efficiency of the state's healthcare system. They noted that the initiative will play a crucial role in bridging healthcare gaps and ensuring equitable access to emergency medical services throughout Sikkim.
