Sikkim Paramedical Association rebrands amid national reforms on International Paramedics Day

On the occasion of the 4th International Paramedics Day, the Sikkim Government Paramedical Welfare Association announced a landmark change in its identity. The association will now be known as the Sikkim Allied and Healthcare Professionals Council, aligning with the national push for regulation and standardization in the allied health sector.

At a press meet held in the basement office of STNM Hospital, Ramesh Dahal, newly designated Registrar of the Sikkim Allied and Healthcare Professionals Council, addressed the media and shared insights into the evolution of the paramedical profession in Sikkim and India. He said, “Today marks a new beginning. Paramedics across districts like Gangtok, Namchi, Mangan, and Singtam are the unsung heroes of our healthcare system. This change is not just about a name, but about ensuring dignity, structure, and legal backing for all allied health professionals.”

He further explained that a major reason for this transformation is the implementation of the National Commission for Allied and Healthcare Professionals Act, passed in 2021 and now fully operational under the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare from July 1, 2025. The act brings paramedics and allied professionals under a structured regulatory framework, similar to what doctors and nurses already have.

Supporting Dahal, Bimal Lepcha, Deputy Registrar and General Secretary of the Association of Aestheticians, emphasized the importance of awareness. “We’ve been meeting healthcare staff across hospitals in the state for a month now, spreading information about this change and urging students and professionals to register under the new council,” he stated.

Ganesh Pradhan, the Treasurer of the Association, shared that the move will not only help formalize roles but will also curb malpractices. “Fake degrees and unqualified professionals have long been a problem. With proper registration and monitoring, we can ensure only qualified individuals enter this field,” he added.

Kishore Thapa, President of the now-renamed Association, said, “The new act covers everything – from forming national and state-level commissions to defining 56 specific roles under 10 broad categories like surgical technologists, radiology experts, lab technologists, and even community health workers. For the first time, allied health professionals have a structured path for licensing, registration, and ethical practice.”

He also pointed out the larger global picture. “According to the WHO, the world will need 18 million more healthcare workers by 2030. India alone will need 60 to 70 lakh. We are proud that Sikkim is preparing itself for that future,” said Thapa.

Registrar Ramesh Dahal added that the official portal, launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in October 2024, now allows professionals to register directly. “Institutions and individuals can access the portal through the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare’s website. Applications will be processed centrally but verified by respective state councils,” he explained.

The act contains 8 chapters and 70 sections and recognizes over 50 lakh allied health professionals in India. It was originally proposed in 2007, strongly advocated by bodies like NITI Aayog in 2018, and finally became law in 2021. However, full implementation and awareness are only beginning to take shape now.

Speaking about the future, Dahal urged universities, medical colleges, and training institutes across Sikkim to align with the new regulations. “If we want our students to have national and even global recognition, they must graduate from accredited institutions that follow the council’s norms,” he said.

He also said that professionals trained under this system will now have smoother pathways to working abroad, thanks to a uniform licensing structure.

The association extended warm greetings to all paramedics on International Paramedics Day. Dahal summed it up: “This is a moment of pride for all of us. From being called unrecognized technicians to becoming part of a national framework, allied and healthcare professionals have come a long way. Our journey is just beginning.”