First Conference of Sorig Practitioners held in Dharamsala

Dharamsala, January 5, 2004: After months of hard work and preparation by the Department of Health, CTA, the first conference of Sorig (Traditional Tibetan Medicine) Practitioners could finally materialize. More than a hundred Tibetan doctors of "Sowa Rigpa" have gathered here from India and abroad at the Gangkyi Staff Mess’ conference hall for the two-day conference of Tibetan Sorig medical doctors.

Organized by the Department of Health, the conference formally introduced "Exile Tibetan Sorig Doctors’ Association Act" to the participants. The Act has been passed by the 13th Assembly of Tibetan People’s Deputies during its 5th session.

Newly elected members of Tibetan Sorig Medical Council with Hon. Health Kalon and Health Secretary

Chief guests for the inaugural function were Mr. Pema Jungney, Chairman of the Tibetan Assembly and Kalon Tripa Prof. Samdhong Rinpoche. The function began with the offering of scarves and lighting of butter lamps by the chief guests. Prof. Samdhong Rinpoche expressed his appreciation over the response from the doctors in the form of a strong attendance at the conference. He said that Kashag is concerned about the upliftment of the Tibetan healing tradition. Also present were Mr. Thupten Lungrig, Kalon for Department of Education and Religion & Culture and Mr. Lobsang Nyandak Zayul, Kalon for Department of Health and Finance and Health Secretary Mr Tenpa C Samkhar.

The Health Kalon, in his address to the gathering, said that the Tibetan traditional healing system is now being commercialized and that a governing body should be set up to preserve and promote the unique healing tradition of Tibet.

The other important aspect of the conference was to elect a governing body of Medical Council, for which the members will be three senior doctors from the Tibetan Medical and Astrological Institute (TMAI), four non TMAI doctors and an allopathic doctor appointed by the Department of Health. They will function according to the Act passed and are entrusted with the implementation, monitoring and collecting suggestions to bring positive changes for the benefit of Tibetan "Sowa Rigpa" tradition.

Mr. Tenpa C Samkhar, Health Secretary, in his speech said that everyone is concerned about the deteriorating condition of the Tibetan tradition of Sowa Rigpa and that the council should function to "bell the cat" so as to preserve the rich tradition of Sowa Rigpa.

During the meeting, participants also expressed their opinions for future amendments and a budget was set aside to support the working of the medical council. The conference ended on a happy note with a word of thanks from the Health Secretary and a farewell dinner to the participants.

World Health Day Observed

World Health Day is an annual advocacy event marking the establishment of the World Health Organization (WHO). Held on 7th April, it is one of WHO’s key tools for engaging the general public in discussion and debate on important health issues. The theme of this year is "Road safety is no accident."

Tibetan community across India, Nepal and Bhutan including schools, monasteries and establishments observed world health day, beginning with special message delivered by Hon. Minister for Health on the importance of health, followed by health talks from resource persons invited for the occasion.

Mundgod Doeguling settlement distributed gifts to the parents of healthy babies and Hunsur Rabgyaling settlement complimented the cleanest camp by giving prizes, they have also conducted a general health education test at local school and gave prizes to the three best students. Delhi Samyeling settled on the bank of river Yamuna, cleaned & channelized sewer water to prevent mosquito breeding. Dalhousie residents collected all the plastic waste to save the environment. Bylakuppe one of the largest settlements in exile observed the day by organizing health talks from resident doctor.

Later in the day residents of every settlements and school children were engaged with the cleaning of surrounding area.

At Gankyi, headquarter of Central Tibetan Administration, all the departments & offices were closed for half day and assigned to clean up specified areas, under the supervision of respective Secretaries of Departments and Offices. The Day ended with the serving of refreshments to the staff by the Health Department.

Basic Health Training for Newcomers from Tibet

One month basic health training was provided to 30 recently arrived female students of Sherab Gatseling School, Dharamsala. It was held at Ngoenga School, Dehra Dun from 7 January to 6 February, 2004.

Dr Tsering Phuntsok (MO) and Ms Tsering Dickyi (Nurse) of Dickyiling hospital and Mr Kalsang Phuntsok of Dept of Health were the resource persons for the training.

The main objectives of the training are:

1. To make the newcomers aware of the basic health concepts especially in relation to personal and community hygiene, prevention and promotion of health.
2. To give basic skills that will help them in early recognition of danger signs of common illnesses and be able to function as health educator, when they return to Tibet.
3. How to use a home based maternal record so that a pregnant woman with danger signs can be recognized and referred at the earliest.

Mental Health Training

Mental health training to community health workers and project staff of department handling the mental health division, was organized at Dharamsala between 9th and 15th May 2004. There were 14 Community health workers from various settlements and project staff of department.

The resource person for the training was Dr. Madhu Sarin, Psychotherapist, who holds Ph.d from USA, taught at the Delhi University and currently running a clinic from her residence at Delhi. She gave an in-depth account of mental health and many important tips in dealing with mental patient and coping mechanism. Her lecture was mainly focussed on basic counseling. In between the sessions she shared some of her personal experience, while handling her clients and also presented some cases, which she had solved. The training went smoothly and effectively.

Refresher Training for CHW

Refresher training for community health workers (CHW) of Northeast settlements were held at Miao Chompheling settlement from 9th to 20th March 04.

There were 15 community health workers from different settlements of Northeast region.

The resource persons for the training was Dr. Tsering Phuntsok and Mr. Kalsang Phuntsok.

As part of the training, the participants conducted health education to 300 people in the settlement on various diseases such as Tuberculosis, Ulcer and Dental Care. After the completion of the training, all the participants were given a certificate.

Leprosy Training for School Nurses

A 3-day training on leprosy was organized by the Department of Health, Central Tibetan Administration for school nurses from 5th to 7th February 2004. Eleven nurses from ten different Tibetan residential schools attended the training.

Dr Rajbir Singh from German Leprosy & Relief Association, India was the resource person for the training.

Participants with Resource person (seated center) and Addl Secy & Project Officer of DoH

Topics ranging from signs and symptoms to differential diagnosis and treatment of leprosy were discussed during the 3-day training.

Mr Chonjor Palden, Addl Secy of Dept. of Health presented certificate of participation to the trainees.

The training was part of a series of training organized by the Department to educate the health workers and Tibetan public alike about leprosy and misconceptions associated with leprosy. The training was funded by the German Leprosy Relief Association (GLRA) and European Union (EU).

Emergency Medical Relief Fund

Department of Health, depending on the socio-economic condition of the patient, provides financial support to poor and needy people who could not afford medical expenses . During the last six months from January to June 2004, the Department had provided financial support to more than 246 destitute people from various Tibetan refugee settlements.

Visit to Palampur Leprosy Home

On 11 May, 2004 Additional Secretary Mr Chonjor Palden along with our new project officer for Leprosy Programme Mr Sonam Topgyal and Mr Migmar Tashi who has been handling this programme so far, visited the Palampur Leprosy Home to see the progress with the patients.

They were greeted with warm welcome by Home’s Supt. Col Sohan Lal. They also had a gathering of all the patients and addressed by Addl. Secretary on their progress and encouraged for the attainment of full recovery. New Incharge was also introduced to Col (Mr) Sohan Lal for future reference. Later in the day Addl. Secretary issued a cheque for Rs 42000.00 towards the purchase of daily necessity of patients. Members also inspected the Home’s dormitories and surrounding areas.

On April 21, Mr Sonam Topgyal was instructed by the Health Secretary as per the Hon. Health Kalon’s desire to carry out a survey of leprosy patients living around Dharamsala and to offer them help in collaboration with Palampur Leprosy Home. During his survey he found total of 19 Indian leprosy patients mostly coming from other Indian States like Andhra Pradesh begging around temple, Bhagsu road and lower Dharamsala. On offering help, it was found that they have been taken care of by the State government run Ashram and are receiving stipend from the Ashram.

Drinking Water & Sanitation Projects

Celebrating the opening of new tubewell at Deckyiling Tibetan settlement

With the help of donation received from USHA, EU, IM Soir, individuals and a part contribution from the local residents, people now have access to clean drinking water. The number of completed projects for drinking water & sanitation during the first half of 2004 was seven. Of which four were drinking water and three sanitation projects. The beneficiaries for the drinking water projects were the people of Sonamling Leh -Ladakh, Deckyiling -Dehra Dun, Sera Jhe Health Centre - Bylakuppe and Inst. of Buddhist Dialects, Sarah.

To improve sanitation a total of 40 toilets were constructed for the poorest of poor people listed by CTA at Dickey Larso settlement at Bylakuppe and 10 toilets at Tibetan Cholsum Industrial Settlement Poanta Sahib. Also for the benefit of school children, toilets of Central School for Tibetans Dalhousie were repaired.

Visit by EC-GLRA Members

Mr. Ravichandran, Dr. Rajbir Singh and Joint Secretary Mr. Yusuf Naik visited Paonta Sahib, Puruwala and Dehradun to monitor on going EC-GLRA funded Health programs from 25th to 29th April 2004. They also met with Hon. Health Kalon Mr Lobsang Nyandak Zayul and Health Secretary Mr Tenpa C Samkhar. They also had an indepth discussion on various projects being under taken by the Health Department under EC-GLRA. Their attention was drawn to the Miao Water Problem and a Project was presented to them for the approval of grants.

Mobile Clinic Inagurated

Mobile clinic being inagurated by Donor, also seen are Addl. Secy & Jt. Secy of DoH

Mr. Andrew J.C. Kao, Representative - Taipei Economic and Cultural Center in New Delhi, Dr. Pai Po Lee, Assistant Seretary General - International Cooperation and Development Fund Taiwan, Mr Su-Jei Own, Deputy Secretary General - Taiwan Tibet Exchange Foundation and Mr. Hsung Bian Hsu, Researcher - Taiwan Tibet Exchange Foundation visited Dharamsala and attended inaugural function of Mobile Clinic donated by them. Hon. Kalon for Religion & Culture and Education Mr Thupten Lungrig was the chief guest on the occassion. Hon. Health Kalon and Health Secretary also spoke on the occasion.

Caring for the Teeth...‘Oral Health’

The importance of healthy gums for strong teeth, has been neglected so far in our community. People don’t seem to recognize the importance of their teeth, when they do realize, either half of them have already fallen or the remaining could be of little use. Everyday we use our teeth for different purposes, most important of all chewing our meals as a primary function, so that it can be converted into energy by our intestines to work. That’s one part of the work done by our teeth daily, other secondary but important functions of our teeth is to shape our face to look smart, our pronunciation of words while talking are the results of tongue and teeth working coherently. And sometimes they are used as an emergency tool. Imagine when we don’t have healthy teeth, we can’t expect a healthy body. We may survive without looking smart or even without talking, but we can’t survive without taking proper diet. So its very important to take good care of your gums and teeth for smart and healthy body. People have the notion that when we grow old our teeth get old and start falling but that is a wrong concept. Study has proved and shown that teeth can last for a life time, if good care is taken from the start. Moreover we can save lots of money by avoiding dental works, which can run into huge figures, it only takes 10-15 minutes a day to take care. You can start your dental care with the following tips on brushing.

1. Brushing your teeth is one step in the process of good oral hygiene. When performed properly, brushing alone can attain approximately 50% oral cleanliness and plaque removal. Flossing daily is essential to more complete oral cleanliness, cleaning and removing plaque from between teeth and along the gumline where it is difficult or impossible for a toothbrush to reach.
2. How often to brush: Brushing after every meal is optimal, since plaque begins forming immediately after meals and bacteria waits for nobody. However, at the minimum, brush before sleeping every night and after waking up each morning.
3. What kind of toothbrush to use: A soft toothbrush with rounded bristles will do an excellent job of cleaning teeth without injuring gums or enamel. Toothbrushes should be replaced every three to four months in order to be most effective.
4. How long to brush for: Studies show that it takes two full minutes to thoroughly brush your teeth, but that brushing for 10 minutes does not clean your teeth any more than brushing for 2 minutes. Imagine washing your clothes for 6 hours instead of 40 minutes. Ridiculous!
5. How to use the brush: The bristles of the toothbrush should be at a 45 degree angle to the surfaces of your teeth, with the ends of the bristles pointing toward your gums. The brushing motion should be a gentle up-and-down circular motion, and should cover the full vertical surfaces of your teeth.

The first ‘Convention in the Clouds’ in Dharamsala

A special convention called "Convention in the Clouds" was organised by the Alcoholics Anonymous Organisation from 15-17 June 2004, for the first time at Hotel Anand Palace, Dharamsala. As the very name suggest Alcoholics Anonymous (AAs), is a body of people who had once been victims of alcoholic drinks, but now leading a clean, sober life. The primary objective of AAs is to stay sober and help other alcoholics to achieve sobriety and good health.

At the convention, The Health Department of Central Tibetan Administration was represented by the Health Secretary Mr Tenpa C Samkhar, Mr Sonam Topgyal, Section Incharge of De-addiction project and Mr Lobsang Dawa Section Incharge of Media & Health Education. Also present were two senior Tibetan doctors from TMAI, two nurses from Delek hospital, Representatives of Tibetan Welfare Office and Tibetan Womens Association, Dharamsala.

The area Superintendent of Police, Mr Haider Zaidi of Kangra District was also present during the convention. He expressed his appreciation of the good job being done by the AAs for a noble cause and wished them good luck.

Mr Tenpa C Samkhar, Health Secretary, CTA in his speech to the gathering complimented the noble cause for which the AA is working and pledged the support of Tibetan Government in general and Health department in particular towards the implementation of any viable method ensuring the health of Tibetan people. The Health Secretary further suggested the establishment of a multinational committee for exploring the problems and solutions of the disease of alcoholism.

The convention was attended by more than a hundred and fifty people with their families, travelling as far as from Pakistan, Goa, Mumbai and Kolkata. Interested people can contact Mr Todd Moore or Mr Christian who assembles with other members of AAs at Hotel Surya (Dharamsala) every Sunday at 10 am.

Profile: Tso Jhe Khangsar Hospital, Bylakuppe

Bylakuppe situated 95 km away from Mysore, with a total area of 5000 acres is home to approximately 16000 Tibetan Refugees.

View of Hospital from front

There are two Tibetan refugee settlements: namely Lugsung Samdupling and Dickyi Larso Tibetan settlements in Bylakuppe established in 1960 and 1970 respectively.

The settlements consist of 20 villages, 6 Monasteries & Nunneries and a home for the aged. There are two senior secondary schools and few small schools, and Mentsekhang (branch clinic of Tibetan Medical & Astro Inst. Dharamsala).

Most of the settlers depend on agriculture as their basic source of livelihood. Due to lack of irrigation facilities, the rain fed crop is not sufficient to sustain the families on farming alone. Besides agriculture, the settlers are engaged in trading, restaurants, shopkeeping and seasonal sweater selling etc.

Out-patients in queue

To cater to the basic primary health care needs of the settlers, Tso Jhe Khangsar hospital plays a crucial role. The nearest referral hospital in case of emergency is situated 95 km away or more than 2 hours bus ride to Mysore, making the hospital more important for the people settled in the villages and residents around the settlement.

Initially, it was a small clinic with couple of rooms only. With the generous support from donors, in the year 1995 it was upgraded to an idependent U-shaped hospital building which has an Out-patient and an In-patient section. Later a small Maternity ward at the back of the main hospital building was added and run as a full fledged hospital.

Today Tso Jhe Khangsar Hospital is one of the seven hospitals run by the Department of Health. Currently it has a total of 23 staff, including a doctor (medicine), a dentist, three Nurses, Lab technician, Ophthalmic technician, nine Health Workers and 7 Administrative staff.

Newly installed X-ray machine, sponsored by EC-GLRA

It has the following facilities and provide services for Out-patients consultancy, In-patients facilty (four beds each for male & female ward), Casualty room, X-ray, Laboratory/Diagnostic Unit, Pharmacy, Tuberculosis Control Unit, Immunization program, Reproductive Health Care, Mental Health Care, Dental/Oral Health Care, seperate Maternity ward with ante & post natal care, an Ambulance and Referral center arrangement. It also undertakes home visit service and organizes periodical health awareness programs for the residents, school children and monks & nuns of monasteries and nunneries.

Staff Update

Mr Sonam Topgyal has joined the DoH on 16 March 2004 and has been made Section Incharge of Prevention and Control of Substance Abuse.

Ms Phuntsok Dolma has joined the Department on 12 April 2004 and is our new Asst. Accountant.

Mr Lobsang Dawa has joined the Department on 1 May 2004 and is in-charge of Media & Health Education Section.

Mrs Dhondup Dolma has joined department on 1 May 2004 and is appointed as Receptionist.

Mrs Yangchen Dolkar of Tibetan Torture and Survivors’ Program (TTSP) resigned from her job w.e.f 31 May 2004. She has served the Department since December 1998 and was a dedicated, hard working staff. The Department appreciated her work and wishes good luck for her future.

Mr Bhu Rinchen has been transferred from Tso Jhe Khangsar Hospital to the head office and appointed as Social Worker in TTSP.

Mr Sonam Rinchen has resigned from his job w.e.f 31 May 2004. He was the cook at Ngoenga School, Deckyiling, since October 2001.

Mr Lobsang Gelek CHW of Menlha Hospital Orrisa was transferred to DTR Hospital Mundgod.

Dr Phakmo Tso has been appointed as Medical Officer on contract basis for a year at Deckyiling Hospital w.e.f 1 Jan 2004.

Dr Lodoe Phuntsok, Medical Officer of Manipat hospital is on leave for six months w.e.f 1 April 2004.

Ms Dechen Choezom, CHW at Orrisa hospital is currently on leave for one year w.e.f 1 April 2004

Dr Kalsang Wangpo has been appointed on 12 May 2004 as Medical Officer at Phende Hospital in Hunsur Rabgayling Tibetan settlement.