Public Health in Tibetan Communities in Exile

Dr. Tsering TsamchoeCentral Council of Tibetan Medicine, Dharamsala, India

Homage to Medicine BuddhaWith Compassion,

serves all the sentient beings,

”O Enlightened One”Mere hearing your

name, relieves the suffering

of all lowly births,Healer of the disease of 3 inborn mental

poisons,To the most

enlightened supreme healer,

“The king of Aquamarine Light”I prostrate before

you.

Tibet and Tibetan communities at glance Tibet; the roof of the world with an average 4,000 meters above sea

level. Land Size - 2.5 million square kilometers Total National Population: 6 Million Head of Spiritual leaders: His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama; Tenzin

Gyatso www.dalailama.com Tibet Autonomous region (TAR) which is under PRC since 1959

www.tibet.cn Tibetans in exile –since year 1959 Central Tibetan Administration : Also called Tibetan government in exile

located at Gangchen Kyishong, Dharamsala, H.P, India www.tibet.net Number of Tibetan refugee living in India – approximately One lac Thirty

Thousands Number of Tibetan refugee settlement in India and Nepal – 71 Number of Tibetan schools in India and Nepal - 73 Number of Tibetan Health centers and clinics in India - 105 including

Tibetan Medical branch clinics.

Central Tibetan Administration and Public Health Health:Health is an important indicator of level of overall (Physical, Mental and Social)wellbeing of a population.Background:In the year 1959, when Tibetan exile saga started, Tibetans not onlyphysically and mentally dislocated, but in sanitary sense, Tibetans

undergone a pitiable health conditions in a foreign geographical set up having

entirely different health implications. Many Tibetans lost their lives due to the extreme changes of climate, livelihood and sanitary problems.Central Tibetan Administration (CTA) CTA was first set up in Dharamsala, India in the late 1959. It has 7 Departments including Department of Health (DOH) which is registered

in the name of Tibetan Voluntary Health Association (TVHA). This department provide curative and preventative health care services by managing and financing health care centers, as well as by planningcomprehensive health care system for the Tibetan refugees in India,

Nepal and Bhutan.

Hospitals and Health Care CentersTibetan Voluntary Health Association (1981)

http://tibet.net/health Tibetan Delek Hospital (1971)

www.tibet.net/delekhospital Men-Tsee-Khang (Tibetan Medical & Astro. Institution)-

1961 www.men-tsee-khang.org CHOICE Initiatives http://choicehivaids.org Kunphen www.kunphen.org Tibet Charity - 1998 www.tibetcharity.in Health clinics in Monasteries

Major Health Issues in Tibetan Community

Flu like Communicable Disease TuberculosisHepatitisCancerDrug Abuse

Public Health in Action:Malaria Prevention and Control ProgramTB Reach ProjectHIV/AIDS awareness ProgramMental Health ProgramMother and Child Health(MCH)Program Cancer and Chronic Disease Prevention and Control

ProgramSubstance Abuse Prevention and Rehabilitation

ProgramReproductive Health EducationObserving Health Related DaysHepatitis B Prevention and Control ProgramTele Medicine Clinic

Tibetan Medicine and Public Health

Sowa Rigpa; The ancient old Tibetan Medical system equally

plays an effective role in preventing diseases and prolonging

healthy live.Special Features: Encouraging Healthy Diet and life styleMaintaining health through rejuvenationManaging Stress and DepressionPreventing Epidemics and spread of disease. Applying Holistic power for evil and natural

disasters

Development needed:Human ResourceHealth Education and TrainingsPublic Health LibraryHealth care centers in remote

settlementsHospitals with an advanced facilities

Future Project and Your SupportImproving Public Health through TMS

Tele Medicine and Media Specialist(Estimate budget for three years: 12 Lac Eighty Thousands Indian Rupee = 18,300 Euro)

Health Education and Trainings(Estimate budget for three years: 18 Lac Fifty Thousands Indian Rupee = 26,500 Euro)

Special Care for Mother and Child health (Estimate budget for three years: 14 Lac Twenty Thousands Indian Rupee = 20,200

Euro)

Monthly Health Magazine(Estimate budget for three years: 12 Lac Two Hundred Indian Rupee = 17,500 Euro)

Free Medical Check up and Health Advice Program(Estimate budget for three years = 16 Lac Forty Thousands Indian Rupee = 20,500

Euro)

Thank You!