Sikkim has a functional but limited medical infrastructure. The state's one large referral hospital is STNM (Sir Thutob Namgyal Memorial) in Gangtok, with secondary district hospitals at Geyzing (West), Namchi (South) and Mangan (North). Primary health centres operate in most towns. For serious cases — major trauma, severe altitude pulmonary oedema, cardiac events — patients are evacuated to Siliguri (3-4 hours from Gangtok) where larger facilities operate. At altitude, the high-altitude pharmacy at Lachen is the most-northerly point of medical care; beyond that you are 4-6 hours from a proper hospital. Travellers should know the emergency numbers, save the major hospital contact details, and carry adequate travel insurance. This is the reference page.
Universal emergency numbers
- Police — 100
- Fire — 101
- Ambulance — 102
- National emergency (all-in-one) — 112
- Statewide medical emergency — 108
- Women's helpline — 1091
- Child helpline — 1098
- Sikkim Tourism 24/7 helpline — +91-3592-202-218
- Disaster management Sikkim — 1077
- Road accident emergency (NH-10) — Border Roads Organisation, 18001801104
Major hospitals — district by district
STNM Hospital, Gangtok (the main referral hospital)
Sir Thutob Namgyal Memorial Hospital is the largest hospital in Sikkim, located in central Gangtok. Functions as the state's referral and emergency centre. Specialities include orthopaedics, cardiology, paediatrics, neurology and a 24-hour emergency department. ICU and surgery facilities are available though the hospital is sometimes overwhelmed during peak season. Address: Old Children's Park Road, Gangtok. Phone: +91-3592-202-066. Distance from MG Marg: 2 km.
Other district hospitals
- District Hospital Geyzing (West Sikkim) — serves Pelling, Yuksom, Tashiding. Basic emergency and outpatient. Phone: +91-3595-250-038
- District Hospital Namchi (South Sikkim) — serves Ravangla, Namchi, Borong. Basic facilities. Phone: +91-3595-263-188
- District Hospital Mangan (North Sikkim) — serves Lachen, Lachung, Dzongu. Limited high-altitude expertise. Phone: +91-3592-234-053
- Primary Health Centre Lachen — the most-northerly medical facility, basic stabilisation only
- Primary Health Centre Lachung — basic stabilisation only
- Primary Health Centre Chungthang — basic; the last stop before North Sikkim altitude rises
Private hospitals in Gangtok
- Central Referral Hospital (Manipal Hospital, Tadong) — most-recommended private hospital, full diagnostics, ICU. Phone: +91-3592-270-022
- Sai Bal Multispeciality Hospital — second tier of private care. Phone: +91-3592-205-053
- New STNM (under construction as of 2026) — the larger replacement facility
Evacuation to Siliguri — when local care is not enough
Serious cases (major trauma, severe altitude oedema, complex cardiac events) are evacuated from Gangtok to Siliguri (in West Bengal) where larger multispeciality hospitals operate. The drive Gangtok to Siliguri is 4 hours under good conditions. Helicopter evacuation is theoretically available but rarely deployed. Recommended Siliguri hospitals: North Bengal Medical College Hospital (government), Siliguri Nursing Home, Anandaloke Hospital, Neotia Getwel Healthcare. Most upper-tier travel insurance covers Siliguri evacuation. Make sure your policy includes inter-state medical transport.
Pharmacies and medication availability
Standard medications are widely available in Gangtok and major towns. The MG Marg area has 6-8 pharmacies open until 10 p.m. Common drugs (paracetamol, ibuprofen, antihistamines, basic antibiotics, BP medications, diabetes medications) are stocked. Less common drugs (specialised neurological, oncology, certain psychiatric medications) may require advance notice. Bring 1.5x your home medication supply to avoid running out. For altitude medication: Diamox (acetazolamide) is available at most Gangtok pharmacies as Acetab, prescription generally needed but pharmacist discretion applies.
Travel insurance — the actual essential
Travel insurance is genuinely essential for any Sikkim trip — much more so than for plains destinations. The altitude risk, the road-condition risk (monsoon landslides), and the limited local advanced-care infrastructure all make insurance practically valuable rather than just paperwork. Recommended policies for Indians: Tata AIG, Reliance, Bajaj Allianz — all offer Sikkim-region cover at ₹400-700 per person for a 10-day trip. For foreigners: World Nomads, Allianz Global, Travel Guard — ₹1,500-3,500 for a 10-day trip. Make sure the policy includes high-altitude trekking cover up to 5,500 m (Gurudongmar is at 5,430 m) and medical evacuation to Siliguri or beyond.
