A Sikkim delegation paid a courtesy call on Development Commissioner, Y Kikheto Sema at his office chamber at the Nagaland Civil Secretariat, Kohima on August 31 2026, during its two-day visit to Nagaland to study the implementation of the Nagaland Chief Minister’s Health Insurance Scheme (CMHIS).
The delegation comprised Karma N Bhutia, Secretary to the Chief Minister of Sikkim, Depen Sharma, Special Secretary, Chief Minister’s Office, Dr Subash Tamang, Chief Medical Officer to the Chief Minister and Tenzing Chopel Bhutia, Staff Officer to the Chief Medical Officer.
Interacting with the visiting team, Development Commissioner, Y Kikheto Sema highlighted the evolution of CMHIS from the initial implementation of the Central Government Health Insurance Scheme. He said the scheme faced several challenges in its early stages, including limited hospital empanelment and inadequate reimbursement rates.
Sema further pointed out that State Government subsequently revised the arrangements, improved the reimbursement rates and expanded the network of empanelled hospitals.
Sema informed that more than 70 hospitals across the country are currently empanelled under the scheme, including hospitals frequently accessed by patients from Nagaland in cities such as Delhi, Kolkata and Guwahati. Government and private hospitals within the State are also part of the network, he added.
He further stated that around 64,000 beneficiaries had been registered under CMHIS and that approximately Rs. 252 crore had been paid towards treatment under the scheme over a period of nearly four years.
Sema also stated that a significant number of Nagaland residents not covered under the Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (PM-JAY) had been brought under CMHIS. The combined coverage under the two schemes, he said, has been an important step towards ensuring access to cashless healthcare for the people of the State.
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On Nagaland’s overall development, Sema said the State had made progress since attaining statehood despite prolonged challenges and unrest. However, he stressed that much more needed to be done in many areas particularly in the health, road, agriculture and allied sectors.
Speaking on behalf of the delegation, Secretary to the Chief Minister of Sikkim, Karma N. Bhutia, expressed gratitude for the opportunity to study Nagaland’s health insurance model. He said the Sikkim team considered the visit a valuable learning experience and described Nagaland’s achievements as the result of sustained efforts by its officials and people.
Bhutia said Sikkim was keen to learn from Nagaland’s experience, particularly in implementing a health insurance scheme that provides cashless treatment and reaches beneficiaries across geographical boundaries. He acknowledged that Nagaland had faced several challenges in establishing the system, including difficulties related to hospital empanelment, reimbursement and service delivery, but said these efforts had created a strong foundation for other States to build upon.
Bhutia recalled that the decision to study the Nagaland model followed an interaction with Development Commissioner at NITI Aayog meeting on June 12, 2026 during which Nagaland’s achievements in health insurance and other sectors were highlighted. Following the interaction, the Sikkim State leadership directed the officials to visit Nagaland and examine the implementation of CMHIS, he added.
He also expressed appreciation for Nagaland’s health coverage and cashless healthcare initiatives, saying the CMHIS model had attracted interest because it provided accessible and cashless treatment to beneficiaries, including at empanelled hospitals outside the State.
Bhutia said Sikkim intended to adopt the Nagaland model and requested technical guidance and continued cooperation from the Nagaland Government.
The visiting team will further hold discussions with the Planning and Health Departments and other concerned departments and visit selected institutions and facilities to study CMHIS and other development initiatives.
The interaction concluded with a commitment to strengthen cooperation, exchange best practices and promote mutual learning between Nagaland and Sikkim.
