Gangtok, January 27, 2026: Recognizing the growing burden of obesity as a critical public health challenge, People-to-People Health Foundation (PPHF) in collaboration with Department of Health and Family & Welfare, Govt of Sikkim,borganized a State-Level Multi-Stakeholder Consultation on “Act Early: Prioritizing Obesity Care in Sikkim” in Gangtok. The consultation brought together policymakers, medical experts, public health leaders, and representatives from academia, industry, nutritionists and civil society to deliberate on advancing a comprehensive response to obesity in the state.
The event was graced by, Shri G.T. Dhungel, Hon’ble Minister, Health & Family Welfare & Culture Department and Guests of Honor, Shri Phurba Renzing Sherpa, Hon’ble Chairman, Health & Family Welfare Department, Ms Ganga Parsai, OSD, Health & Family Welfare Department, Shri Rohit Rai, OSD Upper Tadong constituency, Shri Sonam P Bhutia, Vice President SKM Gangtok.
The event also witnessed the presence of other eminent experts including, Dr Ruth Yonzon, PCC cum MS STNM, Dr Suresh M Rasaily, PCC cum AMS, Dr CM Sharma, PCC cum AMS II, Dr DC Sharma, Principal Director, Health Services, Dr Sangita Pradhan, Principal Director Health Services cum CEO PMJAY, ABDM Sikkim, Mrs. Sonam Lhamu Bhutia, Joint Director, Nutrition, Women & Child Development, Dr. Laydon Lepcha, Assistant Scientific Officer, DST and other dignitaries from department and other institutions.
Obesity: An Urgent Public Health Concern in Sikkim
Today, there is an increasing burden of overweight and obesity in Sikkim. The issue is particularly pronounced among adult women and in urban areas, linking closely with lifestyle changes, economic transition, and specific demographic factors. According to the NFHS-5 data 34.8% men are obese, ranking Sikkim as the third highest among all states in India. This is equally affecting the women with 34.7% being overweight or obese, which is the highest rate in the Northeast region and significantly above the national average of 24.02% for women. Further, the urban areas have been consistently showing higher rates of overweight and obesity compared to rural areas, a trend attributed to rapid urbanization and associated lifestyle shifts.
Shri G.T. Dhungel, Hon’ble Minister, Health & Family Welfare & Culture Department said, “In Sikkim, we have made strong progress with our programs that is strengthening NCD screening at all levels of care. But there’s still more to be done especially in helping people adopt healthier habits and making sure our healthcare workers are trained to manage obesity challenges
Speaking at the event, Ms Ganga Parsai, OSD, Health & Family Welfare Department, emphasized the role of schools, youth engagement, and sports-led lifestyles in strengthening preventive and promotive health measures under the NCD framework. He noted that “addressing obesity requires early sensitisation through education, promotion of physical activity among youth, and integration of healthy behaviours into public systems, alongside timely screening and access to care.”
Building a Multi-Sectoral and Sustainable Response
The consultation served as a platform to foster dialogue among policymakers, clinicians, and public health stakeholders to explore multi-sectoral solutions for obesity prevention and management. Discussions emphasized on integrating obesity prevention and management into existing NCD programs while encouraging cross-sector collaboration and public–private partnerships to expand reach and resources.
Collaborative Partners and Commitments
The initiative was supported by the Indian Medical Parliamentarians Forum (IMPF), Eli Lilly and Company (India) Pvt. Ltd. and STNM Hospital. Together, these partners reaffirmed their commitment to creating an enabling policy environment that recognizes obesity as a chronic, manageable disease rather than a lifestyle issue.
Commenting on the consultation, Dr. Laxmikant Palo, CEO, PPHF, said, “Obesity has far-reaching consequences not only on individual health but also on our health systems and economy. Through collaborative action we can act early to reduce its long-term burden and build a healthier, more resilient Sikkim.”
About People-to-People Health Foundation (PPHF)
PPHF is a health non-profit organization working towards transforming lives for improved health and well-being through locally driven solutions. Since 2016, PPHF has reached over 50 million lives across 20+ Indian states and 60+ districts, building healthcare provider capacity, strengthening systems, and enabling access to quality health services through innovative partnerships.
