Shri G.T. (Gay Tshering) Dhungel is a senior Indian politician and public administrator currently serving as the minister for health & family welfare, culture, and AYUSH, Government of Sikkim. He is a Member of the Sikkim Legislative Assembly (SLA) representing the Upper Tadong constituency and has been a member of the Council of Ministers under Chief Minister Prem Singh Tamang (Golay) since June 2024. A civil engineer by training and a former senior bureaucrat, Shri Dhungel brings decades of experience in public administration, infrastructure development, and governance to his ministerial responsibilities.

Born on 22 August 1959, Shri Dhungel completed his schooling at Victoria Boys’ School, Kurseong, before earning a Bachelor of Engineering (Civil) from Assam Engineering College, Guwahati. Prior to entering active politics, he served in the government of Sikkim in various senior engineering and administrative positions, where he played an important role in the planning and execution of infrastructure and public works projects. His extensive experience in government administration laid a strong foundation for his transition into public life.

Shri Dhungel entered electoral politics in 2019, winning the Upper Tadong Assembly constituency. Following the formation of the new government in June 2024, he was entrusted with the portfolios of Health & Family Welfare, Culture, and AYUSH, reflecting the government’s confidence in his administrative capabilities. As health minister, he oversees the implementation of public health programs, healthcare infrastructure development, disease prevention initiatives, medical education, and the strengthening of healthcare services across Sikkim. He also guides the state’s efforts to promote traditional systems of medicine through the AYUSH department while preserving and promoting Sikkim’s rich cultural heritage through the Culture Department.

Under his leadership, the Health & Family Welfare Department has focused on expanding access to quality healthcare, strengthening district and community health facilities, promoting preventive healthcare, and advancing digital health initiatives. He has also supported important public health programs, including cervical cancer screening, dialysis services, and the integration of AYUSH into the state’s healthcare delivery system. Recent initiatives under his stewardship include the expansion of dialysis services and statewide public health campaigns aimed at improving healthcare accessibility and disease prevention.

As Minister in charge of AYUSH, Shri Dhungel has consistently advocated for the promotion of traditional Indian systems of medicine, highlighting Sikkim’s rich biodiversity and medicinal plant resources. He has emphasized the importance of integrating evidence-based traditional healthcare with modern medicine to enhance preventive and holistic healthcare delivery while encouraging research, conservation, and sustainable utilization of medicinal plants in the Himalayan region.

A respected public servant known for his pragmatic leadership and commitment to inclusive development, Shri G.T. Dhungel continues to play a significant role in advancing Sikkim’s healthcare, cultural, and wellness sectors. Through his emphasis on accessible healthcare, preventive medicine, sustainable development, and cultural preservation, he remains committed to improving the quality of life for the people of Sikkim while strengthening the state’s health system for future generations