Generali Central Life Insurance donates two ambulances to STNM Hospital

GANGTOK, :Generali Central Life Insurance on Wednesday donated two fully-equipped life support ambulances to Sir Thutob Namgyal Memorial Hospital as part of its support for healthcare services in Sikkim.

The ambulances were handed over during a ceremony held at the hospital. It was attended by Health minister G.T. Dhungel as the chief guest, area MLA Kala Rai, Gangtokmayor Tshering Palden Bhutia, Health department chairman PhurbaRinzing Sherpa and Health secretary TshewangGyachho Bhutia.

Addressing the gathering, minister G.T. Dhungel emphasized the importance of well-equipped ambulance services, particularly in view of Sikkim’s challenging and often inhospitable terrain, where timely medical intervention can be crucial in saving lives. He stated that the addition of the two life support ambulances would significantly strengthen emergency healthcare services and improve patient transportation across the State.

The minister also informed that Sir Thutob Namgyal Memorial Hospital is among the best healthcare institutions in the country in terms of the facilities and services it provides. Stressing the importance of timely prevention and early medical intervention, he noted that healthcare should focus not only on treatment but also on preventive measures to ensure the well-being of citizens.

Dhungel underscored the significance of health insurance in protecting families from financial hardship during medical emergencies and said that the government is taking every possible measure to ensure healthy living for the people of Sikkim. He also called for greater awareness of various insurance schemes and their benefits, urging panchayats, MLAs, government officials, and grassroots workers to actively educate people about the available schemes so that more citizens can avail themselves of these benefits and secure their future.

Speaking on the occasion, Alok Rungta, managing director and CEO of Generali Central Life Insurance, expressed pride in the company’s longstanding relationship with Sikkim and reaffirmed its commitment to community led engagement initiatives. He highlighted the vision of achieving “Insurance for All” by 2047 and emphasized the company’s efforts to expand insurance coverage at the grassroots level through Gram Panchayats. “Generali Central Life Insurance is working closely with the State government to ensure that insurance services reach every household, thereby promoting financial security and inclusive development across the State,” Rungta stated.

State Finance director and nodal officer Mahendra Pradhan highlighted the vital role insurance plays in supporting families and providing financial security during unforeseen circumstances. He explained various social security and welfare schemes, including Pradhan Mantri Jeevan Jyoti Bima Yojana, Pradhan Mantri Suraksha Bima Yojana, Atal Pension Yojana, and Ayushman Bharat, emphasizing their role in providing affordable insurance, healthcare, and pension benefits to citizens. He also spoke about the vision of achieving universal insurance coverage in Sikkim by 2027, stressing the need for collective efforts from government agencies, financial institutions, and the public to ensure that every household in the state is protected through adequate insurance coverage.

Generali Central Life Insurance also organised a blood donation camp at the hospital.