Gangtok, July 01: (IPR) National Doctors' Day is celebrated every year on the 1st of July in commemoration of the birth and death anniversary of Bharat Ratna Dr. B.C. Roy, an eminent doctor of extraordinary talent and acumen, who was also the second Chief Minister of West Bengal.
The national theme for this year's celebration is 'Lessen the mortality of COVID-19'.

To mark this important occasion and to honour the selfless contribution of doctors as health care providers and life savers, STNM Hospital organized a special programme in the Hospital auditorium today. The programme was graced by Hon'ble Chief Minister of Sikkim Shri Prem Singh Tamang as the Chief Guest.
The programme had the presence of Hon'ble Ministers Shri K.N. Lepcha, Dr. M.K. Sharma, Shri Arun Upreti, Shri M.N Sherpa and Shri B.S Pant, and Hon'ble MLAs Shri Aditya Golay Tamang and Shri Pintso Namgyal Lepcha. The programme had the attendance of Principal Secretary, Health, DG cum Secretary Health, MS STNM, senior officers of Health Department and all the doctors of STNM Hospital.

Speaking on the occasion, Hon'ble Chief Minister Shri Prem Singh Tamang extended warm greetings to all the doctors and medical fraternity of the State on the occasion of National Doctors' Day. Highlighting on the significance of the day, he paid his tribute to noted physician Dr. B.C Roy in whose memory this day is celebrated every year on the 1st of July.
He said that doctors symbolize the epitome of service to mankind and is considered one of the noblest professions.
The Hon'ble Chief Minister attributed the success of Sikkim's fight against COVID-19 to the relentless effort of the entire medical fraternity and the supporting staff. He extended his gratitude to the medical team and support staff lending their support from various quarters such as the screening centres, the quarantine centres, the sample collection centres, the contact tracing rendering their services at the COVID-19 wing of the STNM Hospital as well as in the Isolation wards in Namchi and Geyzing.
The Hon’ble Chief Minister further stated that the State Health Department accepted the challenges posed by the pandemic with all readiness and exhibited high level of management skills to ensure that each and every COVID-19 patient is handled with utmost care and compassion. He said that the medical team has been quick to respond to the daily incidence of COVID-19 cases and in providing timely treatment. This has resulted in over 50 patients completely cured and discharged within a short span of time, he added.
The Hon’ble Chief Minister reiterated that the COVID-19 pandemic has brought out the best in the health workers in the State, and has signalled the possibility of Sikkim becoming a leading State in terms of providing quality health care.
The Hon’ble Chief Minister stated that the State Government has laid highest priority on the overall improvement of healthcare system in the State. He assured that the Government will make sure that the healthcare workers are not deprived of any necessary equipment or manpower, and added that all gaps would be fulfilled immediately. He informed that the Government has allocated an enhanced budget of Rs. 40 crore for the health sector, with an additional 16 crore as buffer fund to meet any exigencies.
The Hon’ble Chief Minister also spoke about plans of the Government to establish Dialysis Units in the district hospitals as well as the sub-divisions. He informed that the Dialysis Unit in District Hospital Namchi is functional, and the one in Geyzing will be inaugurated tomorrow.

On the occasion, the Hon’ble Chief Minister made the following announcements:
1. A ‘Mobile Village Clinic’ service will be initiated in all the districts from the next financial year. He informed that the Mobile Village Clinic will have state-of-the-art equipment and will be manned by trained medical staff. Specialists will travel in the Mobile Clinic five days in a week to provide treatment and care to people in the villages and wards. He said that the Government will appoint required health workers, if necessary. He further informed that the Mobile Clinic will also be equipped with medicines. The Hon’ble Chief Minister stated that this initiative is being conceived to ensure that the people of Sikkim living in the villages and far flung areas will not have to travel to the District Hospitals for mild illnesses and routine tests. He directed the Health Department to submit a proposal to this effect immediately.
2. The Hon’ble Chief Minister announced financial incentives for all the COVID-19 frontline health workers as a token of love, respect and appreciation for their selfless service and dedication. He announced a one-time incentive of Rs. 20,000 for the doctors, Rs. 10,000 for the nursing staff, and Rs. 5000 for the supporting staff. He said that the incentives will be disbursed within fifteen days.

Hon'ble Minister Health Department Dr. M.K. Sharma began his address by remembering the selfless service of doctors around the country especially in the challenging crisis of COVID-19. He also initiated a two minutes silence for all members of the medical fraternity in the country who lost their lives while dealing with the pandemic.
The Hon'ble Minister lauded the efforts of the medical fraternity of STNM Hospital and the frontline health workers in other parts of the State, in dealing with the COVID-19 crisis with utmost efficiency.
Speaking on the theme of Doctors' Day Celebration, he called for the need to be highly vigilant and aware of asymptomatic hypoxia, to avoid deaths due to COVID-19.
The Hon’ble Minister also shared some of the experiences he has faced in the past as a professional doctor himself.

One of the highlights of the programme was the live video conferencing of the Hon'ble Chief Minister with the medical team (COVID-19 Warriors) of Isolation Wards in the COVID wing of STNM Hospital as well as the COVID warriors under quarantine. The Hon'ble Chief Minister extended his gratitude and Doctors' Day greetings to the COVID warriors. Though his encouraging words, the Hon'ble Chief Minister thanked the COVID warriors for setting a unique benchmark though their service.

Ms. Menuka Pradhan, Staff Nurse, STNM Hospital, who was among the first batch of health workers to serve the first COVID-patient, shared her experiences on the occasion. She thanked the Government of Sikkim for providing all the necessary support throughout.

Earlier, Medical Superintendent, STNM Hospital, Dr. C.S Sharma in his welcome address highlighted the vital services rendered by doctors even under the most challenging circumstances.

Head of Department, Forensic Medicines, Dr. O.T. Lepcha highlighted the significance of Doctors' Day.

Likewise, Additional Medical Superintendent, STNM Hospital, Dr. Yudok Bhutia presented the status report of Covid-19 Management in the State and the COVID dedicated wing of STNM Hospital. She explained in detail the timeline of COVID-19 and the steps taken by the State to combat the virus.

Also, during the programme, Senior Medical Officer, STNM Hospital, Dr. Tara Gautam recited a poem titled 'Bimari Ko Bibasta' which she had coined after completing her duty at the COVID-19 Isolation Ward.

The programme concluded with the vote of thanks proposed by Head of Department, Dermatology, STNM Hospital, Dr. Tshering Peggy