Kohima, 31st August 2026 (Nokinketer News): A high-level delegation from Sikkim is on a two-day visit to Nagaland to study the implementation of the Nagaland Chief Minister’s Health Insurance Scheme (CMHIS), with the Himalayan state expressing interest in adopting the cashless healthcare model.
The delegation, led by Sikkim Chief Minister’s secretary Karma N. Bhutia, called on Nagaland Development Commissioner Y. Kikheto Sema at the Civil Secretariat here on Monday. Other members included Special Secretary to the Chief Minister’s Office Depen Sharma, Chief Medical Officer to the Chief Minister Dr. Subash Tamang and Staff Officer Tenzing Chopel Bhutia.
Briefing the delegation, Sema traced the evolution of CMHIS, saying the scheme had overcome initial hurdles such as limited hospital empanelment and low reimbursement rates through policy revisions and expansion of its healthcare network.
He said the scheme now has more than 70 empanelled hospitals across the country, including major referral hospitals in Delhi, Kolkata and Guwahati, besides government and private hospitals in Nagaland.
According to Sema, around 64,000 beneficiaries have been enrolled under CMHIS, while nearly Rs 252 crore has been disbursed for treatment over the past four years.
He added that CMHIS has significantly expanded health coverage by including residents not covered under the Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (PM-JAY), ensuring wider access to cashless healthcare in the state.
Speaking on the occasion, Sema said Nagaland had made considerable progress since attaining statehood despite prolonged challenges, but noted that greater efforts were still needed in sectors such as healthcare, road connectivity, agriculture and allied activities.
Bhutia described the visit as a valuable learning opportunity and praised Nagaland for building an effective health insurance system despite initial challenges related to hospital empanelment, reimbursements and service delivery.
He said Sikkim was particularly interested in understanding how Nagaland had successfully implemented a scheme that enables beneficiaries to access cashless treatment both within and outside the state.
Bhutia said the visit was prompted by discussions with Sema during a NITI Aayog meeting on June 12, where Nagaland’s achievements in healthcare and governance were highlighted. Following that interaction, the Sikkim government decided to send an official team to study the CMHIS model, he added.
Expressing appreciation for Nagaland’s healthcare initiatives, Bhutia said Sikkim intended to adapt the CMHIS framework and sought technical support and continued cooperation from the Nagaland government for its implementation.
During their visit, the delegation will also hold meetings with officials of the Planning and Health departments and visit selected institutions to gain first-hand knowledge of the scheme and other development initiatives.
Both sides agreed to strengthen inter-state cooperation through the exchange of best practices and collaborative learning in healthcare governance.
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