Manipal Hospitals East has expanded its healthcare outreach in Sikkim by introducing teleconsultation services at the Central Referral Hospital (CRH), Sikkim Manipal University, alongside regular on-ground visits by specialist doctors from its hospitals in Siliguri, Rangapani and Kolkata.
Under the initiative, patients visiting the CRH OPD can connect with specialist doctors through video consultations, enabling them to continue treatment, seek expert medical advice and receive critical guidance without having to travel during periods of landslide-related road disruptions and other mobility challenges.
The teleconsultation service complements the monthly specialist visits already undertaken by doctors from Manipal Hospital Siliguri and Manipal Hospital Rangapani. Specialists from Manipal Hospital Kolkata will also begin visiting CRH, broadening access to expertise in gastroenterology, gastrointestinal oncology, urology, uro-oncology, cardiology, nephrology and other disciplines.
Dr Ayanabh Debupta, Regional Director, Manipal Hospitals East, said the technology-enabled initiative was helping patients remain connected with specialists while regular physical visits continued to provide in-person consultations and follow-up care.
In Gangtok, the hybrid healthcare model could strengthen the city’s position as a key healthcare access point for Sikkim by bringing specialised medical expertise closer to patients and potentially reducing dependence on long-distance travel for consultations. The expanded availability of super-specialist services may also support the growing demand for advanced healthcare within the state.
Through its combination of real-time teleconsultations and specialist outreach, Manipal Hospitals East said it aims to build a more reliable continuum of specialised care for patients in Sikkim, particularly during periods of difficult physical connectivity.