Mr. Tashi Gyalpo, Executive secretary of Phendeling Primary Health Centre and local health committee members held meeting on September 2, 2007 where they discussed various health activities to be carried out in the settlement such as, examining the cleanliness of all the camps and decided to present suitable prizes to the cleanest three on the World Health Day. Accordingly, on October 4, 2007 Executive Secretary along with the members of local health committee examined the cleanliness of each and every household viz. kitchen, toilets, drinking water and their surrounding premises. The main objective behind this program is to promote good health and hygiene in the settlement.

Nov. 2, 2007 Phendeling Hospital organized health awareness talk on Hepatitis B and held camp-to-camp rally to provide Hepatitis B booster dose where 546 settlers and school children were immunized. Hospital also provided Hepatitis B vaccination to all under 5 children in the settlement at free of cost.

Executive Secretary also organized mass awareness talk on HIV/AIDS where they emphasized on the causes and preventive measures. Later distributed evaluation forms of HIV/AIDS prepared by the Department of Health to the participants to assess knowledge on the disease.

Rabies is universally fatal and can be prevented only through vaccination either before or shortly after the exposure. Due to the lack of rabies awareness, dogs at Hunsur settlement are mostly not immunized against rabies and thus create problem not only to the settlers but also to the local animals. So in a bid to tackle rabies in the settlement, Phende Hospital in collaboration with the Tibetan Volunteer for Animal, Mysore (TVA) organized an educational health awareness talk on rabies for two days from 5-6 October 2007. The resource person for the talk was Vet. Mujiburran who gave detailed information on rabies. Thereafter anti-rabies vaccination camp was held where 407 dogs both pet and stray were vaccinated against rabies. All the expenditure during the camp was borne by TVA. At the end of the program feedback was collected where 85% of the participants indicated that the program was very successful and remaining 15 % didn’t give any comments.

On 25th December 2007, Mrs. Rangchung Dolma, staff nurse of Dhondenling Van Thiel Hospital Kollegal spoke on “How to maintain good health and hygiene” to the elderly people of Old People’s Home. There were 25 elders who participated in the talk out of which 12 were male and 13 female ranging from the age group of 68- 86 years old. The participants found the talk very informative and appreciated the initiation.

Under the guidance of the Department of Health, Executive Secretary Mr. Karma Genden of Primary Health Centre, Ladakh organized health camp in 9 different Tibetan settlements of northern ladakh for twelve days from 27 Sept. to 8 October 2007. The camp was held mainly to help the general public and to create awareness on the importance of maintaining good health and hygiene. During the camp, “Mother and Child Health Care” video produced by the Department of Health and ‘Manas’ on Drug abuse was screened to the settlers. They provided free MMR vaccination to 83 children including newborn babies and children below 5 years of age. They also gave talk on National Immunization Program and further suggested to vaccinate their children on time as it helps to prevent infectious diseases and protect the health of our community as well. With the consideration of the Department of Health, they also provided free medication to 302 patients who are under destitute category and chronicillness. They further briefed the participants on blood pressure and checked 337 people above 20 years of age and also suggested to check their blood pressure regularly. Health staff gave general health awareness talk on the causes and treatment of various diseases like Tuberculosis, HIV/AIDS, Substance Abuse and Dysentery and distributed pamphlets and posters in the settlement. On the whole the camp proved beneficial to the settlers.

In the year 2004 experts from Centre for Diseases Control and Prevention (CDC), USA had introduced a new format for data collection, which is more comprehensive and easy to get an accurate data. The dealing staff of Health Department organized workshop on “new integrated health data collection” to the health staff of hospitals, monasteries and schools in the Southern Tibetan settlements. The workshop was held at Tso-jhe hospital, Bylakuppe for three days from 28-30 October 2007. Mr. Thupten Gyaltsen, Medical Officer of Phende Hospital, Hunsur was the resource person. Subsequently, the same workshop was organized at Dharamsala and Dekyiling from 13-17 November and 4-8 December 2007 respectively. Mrs. Tsering Paldon, Public health officer of Delek hospital and Mr. Lobsang Tashi, Medical officer of Dickyiling hospital were the resource persons. Mr. Migmar Tashi Dealing staff of TB program of the Department of Health also gave guidelines on TB data reporting and recording system to the participants. During the workshop participants shared their experiences and appreciated the new format of data collection.

Mr. Tsewang Lhundup health worker of Gampopa clinic arranged mass dental check up at Darjeeling on December 13, 2007, which was led by a German Dentist where she also delivered talk on maintaining proper care of teeth. The talk was attended by 107 participants both lay and monks.

A training program on trauma assessment and counseling intervention for children and adolescents was held at Delhi University from 17 to 21 December 2007. Manasi Kumar, Doctoral candidate, Department of Psychology and University college London organized the training sponsored jointly by Vikram Sarabhi Foundation, Delhi and Professor Ashok Nagpal, Director of Centre for Psychoanalytical Studies, Delhi University.

The primary aim of this training was to assess on traumatic condition and how to intervene the situation through counseling. Mr. Bhu Rinchen, dealing officer of HIV/AIDS and substance abuse, Department of Health CTA, Mr. Kelsang Tsering, social worker of Tibetan Torture Survivors’ program of the Department of Health CTA, Mrs. Tsering Paldon, public health officer of Delek hospital and Ms. Tsering Dolker, teacher at Ngoenga School attended the training

The training proved beneficial to the participants in attending the trauma-related psychological needs of children and adolescents in our community.

December 5, 2007, Executive Secretary Mr. Sonam Hara of Bir Primary Health Centre invited Dr. Mehta, District Leprosy Medical Officer of Kangra, Dr. Raj Kumar from Bir District hospital and Dr. Anuj from Palampur Civil hospital to deliver talk on Leprosy to the health staff and settlers. The talk emphasized on signs and symptoms of Leprosy and various means of treatment. They also highlighted the development of modern medicine to cure the disease unlike early days. But early diagnosis and complete treatment is the best way to prevent spreading of the disease.

Under the direction of the Department of Health CTA, Orissa Medical Officer Mr. Tsering Wangchuk was assigned to provide health awareness talk at Tibetan Settlements in Arunachal Pradesh (Tezu, Miao and Tenzingang) from 5 to 24 December 2007.

Executive Secretary of Doeguling Tibetan Resettlement Hospital, Mundgod conducted health talk on Diabetes and Blood Pressure to the people of camp 7, 8 & 9 Mundgod on Dec.27, 2007. Resource person of the talk was Ms. Dhundup Tsomo, nurse aid of the DTR hospital.

There were 89 participants altogether who attended the talk and out of which 33 were male and 56 female ranging from the age group of 30-85 years. At the end of the talk feedbacks were collected where 96.16% of the participants indicated that the talk was very informative.

Drug education aimed at the adolescents offers the best chance to curb abuse in the community. Hence dealing officer Mr. Rinchen of the Department of Health CTA, conducted mass awareness talk on substance abuse and HIV/AIDS at Shillong, Dimapur, Miao, Tezu and Tenzing Gang respectively from 24th October to 4th Nov. 2007. The talk-covered topics like “Drug abuse and its effect” “warning sign” “prevention and treatment” and “HIV/AIDS as pandemic and prevention”. In order to make the whole talk more comprehensive, question-answer session was held at the end of the talk. On the whole 1067 people attended the talk that includes settlers, students and teachers. The talk emphasized on the various reasons for using drugs. However it is clear that it damages health and leads to mental and physical trauma. Mr. Rinchen also took an opportunity to visit drug-addicted patients and their parents.

Poliomyelitis (polio) is a highly infectious viral disease, which mainly afflict young children. There is no cure for the disease but can be prevented only through immunization. Since the state government of Karnataka is conducting serious immunization campaign to eradicate the disease, they provide trainings to the Karnataka Health Department’s staff. In the light of state government’s policy, on December 27, 2007 Executive Secretary Mr. Lhakpa Tsering of Dhondenling Van Thiel Hospital Kollegal invited Dr. Venu Gopal from Karnataka Government Hospital to share his knowledge on Polio program strategy to the medical staff of the hospital and the staff found the talk very informative.

Nov. 30, 2007 Mr. Dorjee, Health worker of Doegu Yugyaling Tibetan Settlement at Lakhanwala gave health talk on the importance of keeping clean surrounding and environment to the settlement people. Which is followed by cleanliness drive in the locality.

Health worker of Bonpo Clinic Mrs Kalsang Yangdon organized an awareness talk on HIV/AIDS to the settlers and the students of CST Dolanji on 15th October 2007. She acknowledges the participants on various reasons for spreading this disease and also talked on preventive measures available that could save one from getting infected. On 2nd November 2007 TB screening was done to the day scholars of the settlement and in the month of December Mrs Kalsang yangdon provided typhoid vaccination to 15 under 5 children.

Every year on Dec. 10 in collaboration with Nobel Peace Prize day celebration, the Department of Health-CTA honor those health staff who completed their 25 years health services to the Tibetan community. And this year too, the Department has awarded 6 health staff namely Dolma Tsering, Tenzin Chophel, Tenzin Wangmo, Kelsang Chozom, Prerma and Sonam Dolma with traditional scarf, certificate and cash prize of Rs. 2000 each for their undaunting spirit to serve the community.

Dolma Tsering
Dolma Tsering joined Tibetan Medical and Astro Institute (TMAI) in the year 1/7/1982 at Dharamsala as Office Secretary and sponsorship secretary to the students of TMAI. In 1996 she was appointed as cashier and in 2006 she again took charge of the sponsorship secretary cum receptionist to the foreigner. Her service still continues.

Tenzin Choephel
Tenzin Choephel joined Tibetan Medical and Astro Institute on 1/6/1982 as a cashier at TMAI’s shop. And in 1987 he was appointed as a cashier of branch TMAI at Shillong. Later he served as an office assistant at branch TMAI at Byllakuppe and Bangalore. In 2002 he was appointed as a cashier at Sera TMAI, Byllakuppe and at present service still continues.

Tenzin Wangmo
In 1982 Tenzin Wangmo completed her 3 months Para-medical training at Tibetan Delek hospital and since then she served as a Para medical staff at TenzinGang Primary Health Center, her service still continues.

Prerma
Prerma joined Doeguling Tibetan Hospital, Mundgod as a sweeper in 1970 and her service still continues.

Sonam Dolma
Sonam Dolma joined her service as a teacher when the baby room started at Bylakuppe and later joined as Para Medical of Tso jhe Hospital and her service still continues.

Kalsang Choezom
Kalsang Choezom joined her service in 1982. She had been handling all kinds of office work viz: correspondence, auditing, cash handling and daily eye check-up etc. At present she is working as ophthalmic incharge at Tso-Jhe Hospital, Bylakuppee, her service still continues.

Miao Driking water project was started in the light of eliminating inadequate drinking water problem of 2778 residents of the settlement. The project was initially proposed by the settlement to Department of Health in 2003.

The Department of Health after careful assessment and comprehension of the problem faced by the residents, the project was sent to Planning Commission in IDP-III for their final appraisal. But due to the financial constraint and other circumstances like changes in the theme of project and lack of expert’s assessment delayed the implementation process.

In year 2004, the Department of Health proposed the project to BLF (Big Lottery Fund) via Tibet House Trust England, SOIR-IM (Swedish Organization for Individual Relief-Individuell Manniskohjalp) and with the funding from USHA (United States Humanitarian Assistance) first phase of the project began with the drilling of 2 bore-wells and construction of 2 100 KL over head tanks under the supervision of local settlement officer Mr. Thupten.

However to continue with the distribution of the pipeline network, the Department contacted Space Geo Tech of Bangalore to do the Geophysical and Hydrological survey of the settlement on the recommendation of the Planning Commission CTA. Meanwhile, project officer Mr. Tenzin Ignyen was deputed to monitor the project on Sept. 30 to Oct. 16, 2007. As of now, the survey by Space Geo Tech is under process and on the basis of up-coming survey report, last phase of the project shall be hopefully implemented within this year provided, there is no problem of monsoon.

The Secretary of the Department Mr. Pema Damdul Arya accompanied by Project Officer Ms. Tenzin Tseten also visited Miao settlement on Jan. 13 to 16, 2007 to review the status of the on going project.

The Department of Health extends its sincere gratitude to all the three donors for their selfless contribution to uplift the status of most disadvantage Tibetan refugees in the remote area. Thank you donors!

In order to uplift the sanitary condition of the Tibetan refugees residing at Miao, Tezu and Ravangla settlements, the Department of Health with the financial support from Big Lottery Fund (BLF) via Tibet House Trust England has under taken construction of individual toilets to each household in 2005.

Initially it was intended to build 220 toilets at Miao, 115 toilets at Tezu and 216 at Ravangla to those families who don’t have the facility but during the course of project implementation, 108 families of Ravangla built their own toilet and thus withdrew from the list.

As of now, under the guidance of the Department of Health and supervision of respective settlement officers, Miao have built 44 toilets, 83 at Tezu and 24 at Ravangla. And these new concrete toilets has proved boon to the residents, especially to the women.

In continuation with the development project like this, it is also very important to build the capacity of individual beneficiaries and therefore, the Department of Health also provides various health education talks on water borne diseases and proper usage of the toilets as one of the vital activities of the project.

And all thanks to Big Lottery Fund and Tibet House Trust of England for making this project alive!

8 Tips to Treat Cold and Flu in ‘Natural’ Way

With no cure in sight for the cold or the flu, current treatments can at best bring symptom relief or shorten the duration of those symptoms. You can take one of a variety of medications that may help relieve your symptoms. Or you can take the natural approach of some home remedies that may help you feel better along the way.

No. 1: Blow Your Nose Often — and the Right Way
It’s important to blow your nose regularly when you have a cold rather than sniffling mucus back into your head. But when you blow hard, pressure can cause an earache. The best way to blow your nose: Press a finger over one nostril while you blow gently to clear the other. Wash your hands after blowing your nose.

No. 2: Stay Rested
Resting when you first come down with a cold or the flu helps your body direct its energy toward the immune battle. This battle taxes the body. So give it a little help by lying down under a blanket

No. 3: Gargle
Gargling can moisten a sore throat and bring temporary relief. Try a teaspoon of salt dissolved in warm water, four times daily. To reduce the tickle in your throat, try an astringent gargle — such as tea that contains tannin — to tighten the membranes. Or use a thick, viscous gargle made with honey, popular in folk medicine. Steep one tablespoon of raspberry leaves or lemon juice in two cups of hot water; mix with one teaspoon of honey. Let the mixture cool to room temperature before gargling. Honey should never be given to children less than 1 year old.

No. 4: Drink Hot Liquids
Hot liquids relieve nasal congestion, help prevent dehydration, and can soothe the uncomfortably inflamed membranes that line your nose and throat.

No. 5: Take a Steamy Shower
Steamy showers moisturize your nasal passages and relax you. If you’re dizzy from the flu, run a steamy shower while you sit on a chair nearby and take a sponge bath.

No. 6: Use a Salve Under Your Nose
A small dab of mentholated salve under your nose can open breathing passages and help soothe the irritated skin at the base of the nose. Menthol, eucalyptus and camphor all have mild numbing ingredients that may help relieve the pain of a nose rubbed raw.

No. 7: Apply Hot or Cold Packs Around
Your Congested Sinuses Either temperature may help you feel more comfortable. You can buy reusable hot or cold packs at a drugstore. Or make your own. Take a damp washcloth and heat it for 55 seconds in a microwave (test the temperature first to make sure it’s right for you.) Or take a small bag of frozen peas to use as a cold pack

8:Sleep With an Extra Pillow Under Your Head
This will help with the drainage of nasal passages. If the angle is too awkward, try placing the pillows between the mattress and the box springs to create a more gradual slope.

Tibetan Primary Health Centre, Miao Chophelling Tibetan Settlement was established in year 1975 at Miao, Arunachal Pradesh India. Initial population of the settlement was 1600 people and it consist five different camps. Presently population has grown up to 2778 and main occupation of the people is agriculture.

In order to meet their basic primary health care needs, the Department of Health CTA has established three rooms Primary Health Centre in 1976, which is located in the central compound of the settlement. In year 2006, PHC was upgraded with four extra rooms, for dressing, pharmaceutical, Laboratory, Doctor’s consultation room, inpatients ward and out patient’s waiting room.

At present there are 5 health staff including 3 Clinic Health Workers (CHW), a driver and a sweeper. Though the Department of Health has already built Doctor and staff nurse residential quarter but due to the lack of human resource, Department couldn’t appoint them till date. However, a doctor from Community Health Centre (CHC) Miao, visits the settlement twice a week for routine check-up and PHC facilitate in providing basic health care services such as immunization, Reproductive Health Care, ambulance, home visit, Tuberculosis program and also organizes periodical health awareness talk to the residents and the students.

There are average of 812 OPD patients per month and the most common diseases prevalence in the settlement are Chest-infection, Malaria, Hypertension, Gastric-ulcer, Diarrhoea and Jaundice.

On the other hand, this health centre is in need of residential doctor and staff nurse as well as facilities like maternity ward with proper delivery room for pregnant women. Because all the delivery cases have to be admitted in CHC, Miao which takes three hours by ambulance.

For more information and those who are interested to land their help may contact below address:

Representative office
Choephelling Tibetan Settlement
P.O Miao, distt Changlang,
Arunachal Pradesh-INDIA

New appointments
Miss Tenzin Daze is appointed as Mother and Child Health Care incharge of the Department of Health on 14th November 2007.

Mrs. Tsering Chodon is appointed as Media and Health Education incharge of the Department of Health on 15th November 2007.

Mr. Tenzin Ramjor is appointed as Nutrition program incharge of the Department of Health on 15th November 2007

Ms. Tsering Choezom is appointed as Assistant Accountant of the DoHealth on 19th November 2007.

Ms. Sangmo is appointed as sweeper of Doeguling Tibetan Refugee Hospital Mungod on 2nd November 2007.

Ms. Chime Youdon is appointed as Lab Technician of Phende hospital Hunsur on 10th November 2007

Ms. Tenzin Namdol is appointed as staff nurse of Menlha Hospital Orissa on 2nd November 2007

Ms. Tenzin Sangah is appointed as staff nurse of Tibetan Health Centre Ladakh on 2nd November 2007

Ms. Tsering Yangzom is appointed as staff nurse of Dekyiling Hospital on 16th December 2007

Ms. Tenzin Sangmo is appointed as staff nurse of Bandara Norgeling Health Centre on 16th December 2007

Ms. Pema Tsomo and Ms Nyima Bhuti are appointed as CHW of Tso-jhe Hospital Bylakuppe on 16th December 2007

Ms. Kelsang Dolker and Tenzin Palmo are appointed as CHW of Bir Health Centre on 16th December 2007

Ms. Tenzin Paldon and Tenzin Norphel are appointed as clinic health worker of Menlha Hospital Orissa on 16th December 2007

Mr. Sarfaraz Ahmed Shahkuli is appointed as clinic health workers of Srinagar on 16 December 2007

Resigned

Ms. Chime Dolma, Dental Therapist of Bir Health Centre resigned on 17th October 2007.

Phurbu Soyang CHW of Delhi Health Centre resigned on 1 December 2007.

Penpa Lhamo CHW of Menlha Hospital Orissa resigned on 31 December 2007.

Transferred

Mrs. Kalsang Yangkyi Takla Health kalon (Minister) is transferred to Department of Information and International Relation as DIIR Kalon on 29th November 2007

Mr. Choppe Paljor Tsering joined the DoHealth as its new Health Kalon on 29th November 2007, from Liaison office of H.H The Dalai Lama in Japan.

Joint Secretary Mr. Topgyal Tsering joined Department of Health from Home Department on 12th December 2007 and now promoted as Additional Secretary w.e.f 16 Feb. 2008

Mr. Tsering is transferred to Welfare Office Kalimpong on 30 November 2007

Mr. Kunchok Nyendak CHW of Menlha Hospital, Orissa is transferred to Mainpat hospital on 16 December 2007

Mr. Karma Thinlay CHW of Dhondenling Van Theil Hospital is transferred to PHC Delhi on 1 October 2007.

Ms. Karma Dolma staff Nurse of Dekyiling Hospital is transferred to PHC Bir on 16 December 2007

Ms. Dolma Tsering CHW is transferred from TJK to Kollegal on 20.12.2007