The Sikkim Legislative Assembly has approved the Sikkim Medical Council for Indian System of Medicine Bill, 2026, to establish a State Council overseeing traditional medicine practitioners and enhancing the AYUSH sector in the state. This Bill aligns with the National Commission for Indian System of Medicine Act, 2020, and focuses on Ayurveda, Yoga, Naturopathy, Unani, Siddha, Sowa Rigpa, and Homoeopathy. The legislation aims to address the absence of a regulatory mechanism for AYUSH practitioners in Sikkim by creating a dedicated Medical Council.
The proposed Council will be responsible for registering and accrediting qualified practitioners, enforcing professional ethics, conducting disciplinary actions when necessary, and overseeing educational institutions and AYUSH medical colleges. It empowers the Central and State governments to provide financial support for the Council’s operations without immediate financial burden on the State’s Consolidated Fund. MLA G.T. Dhungel emphasized the significance of this legislation in strengthening the AYUSH framework in Sikkim, highlighting the need for a regulatory body to ensure quality education and ethical practice in traditional medicine.
Dhungel noted that the establishment of the Council complements the State AYUSH Department’s role in policy formulation and program implementation. By creating new educational and employment opportunities, the legislation aims to expand professional pathways in traditional medicine, fostering the growth of the AYUSH sector in Sikkim. The legislator emphasized the importance of traditional medicine systems like naturopathy and Sowa Rigpa in enhancing healthcare delivery, especially with a robust regulatory framework in place.
