In early 2019, an apolitical body from West Sikkim – Sikkim Progressive Youth Forum – led a foot march from Geyzing, West Sikkim to Gangtok in East Sikkim highlighting the concern of Geyzing District Hospital. Their argument then was “Geyzing District Hospital had been overlooked by the State government over the years, churning away its workforce for a more populated East District Hospitals and PHCs and even to the new STNM Hospital after its establishment. There is lack of facilities such as a simple X-Ray procedure, to even concerns about the blood bank and MRIs and CT Scans do seem to be out of question. Along with it technicians, radiologists and others were taken away from the hospital or have never been recruited.” They made people aware across the state how the district hospitals need attention.

Meanwhile, North Sikkim District Hospital in Mangan saw its own form of protest in 2018 by the public from Mangan, Chungthang, Lachung and Lachen, among others. The structure of the hospital is very old which was damaged by the 2011 earthquake. It has been considered for reconstruction, but the work is yet to complete and may start fully functioning only by 2021.

Currently, it is functioning from other adjoining buildings and AYUSH Hospital, while places like Lachung and Lachen and even Chungthang have to resort to PHCs. “The facilities are minimum with just an X-ray, even for ultrasound, as is the requirement for Obstetrics and Gynecology, all pregnant women from the district have to rush to Singtam Hospital or STNM. Same goes for accident victims, as emergency cases needing more attention and surgeries, need to be rushed to STNM or CRH. The count of medical officers in the districts is also very less, with 10-13 doctors being present in the district currently who have to run to different PHCs in Dzongu, Chungthang, Lachen, Lachung and places beyond it. The district is so big, starting from the borders of Gangtok and reaching as far as Gurudongmar Lake, there is desperate need for more doctors”, stated a doctor from North Sikkim district.