Fourth health review meeting of Tibetans in exile underway
Tuesday, 16 October 2007, 3:20 p.m.
 Health Kalon Mrs Kesang Yangkyi Takla (third from left)addressing on the inaugural day of the health review meeting this morning (Photo: Sangjey Kep) |
Dharamshala: The fourth health review meeting of Tibetans in exile organized by the Department of Health (DoH) began here this morning at the Gangkyi staff cafetaria.
Health Kalon, Mrs Kesang Yangkyi Takla, Mr Pema Damdul Arya, Secretary of the Department of Health, Dr Tsetan Dorjee, CMO of the Tibetan Delek hospital, Mr Dawa Phunkyi, the administrator of Delek hospital, Dr Dawa, Director of Men-Tsee-Khang, doctors from Tibetan Delek hospital and Men-Tsee-Khang, executive secretaries from health centers in eighteen Tibetan settlements are participating in the 3-day conference.
Speaking on the inaugural ceremony, Kalon for Health, Mrs Kesang Yangkyi Takla said, “I have witnessed marked development in the health care system, since the establishment of the Department of Health in December 1983 as an apex body for managing a holistic health care system for the Tibetans in exile.”
“The health care system for Tibetans faced some set-backs in the initial years of its establishment due to lack of logistic facilities and man power, ” said Kalon Takla.
 Mr Pema Damdul Arya, Secretary of the Department of Health addresses the meeting |
She said, “For the last many years the department has been working towards the integration of traditional system of Tibetan medicine with the allopathic primary health care system in order to avail maximum benefits.”
She outlined the Kashag’s two guiding principles on putting major emphasis on catering preventative health care system and providing holistic care system to the poor and infirm Tibetans.
Mr Pema Damdul Arya, Secretary of the Department of Health presided over the review of the resolutions passed during the third health review meeting held in 2003.
He said, “90 per cent of total budget is being spend on curative health care system,” adding, ” We need to put more emphasis to focus more on preventive health care system rather than curative system.”
He also emphasised on implementing an integration of naturopathy and homeopathy care system rather than allopathic system.
He outlined to put major emphasis on mother and child health care system, integration of traditional system of Tibetan medicine with the allopathic, Directly Observed Therapy Short course (DOTS) strategy to keep Tuberculosis TB incidence in the settlements under control.
 Doctors of traditional Tibetan medicine and allopathic medicine, executive secretaries from major Tibetan settlements participating in the fourth health review meeting |
Later in the afternoon session, the Chief Medical Officer of the Tibetan Delek Hospital, Dr Tseten Dorjee Sadutsang will speak on Tuberculosis (TB) and multi drug resistance (MDR). This will follow by discussion by the participants.
Dr Passang Norbu will give a briefing on tuberculosis and its general control program.
On 17 October, Dr Dadon and Dr Yangzom from Men-Tsee Khang will speak on mother and child health.
Dr Pema Dorjee and Dr Kunchok Dorjee of the Delek hospital will brief the participants on HIV/AIDS and substance abuse, followed by a discussion.
Later in the afternoon, Dr Namgyal Tsering and Dr Thupten Gyaltsen will speak on preventive health care.
Dr Tamdin and Dr Tsering Wangchuk will speak on curative health care on Hepatitis B and Tuberculosis. Dr Tamdin will give a briefing on malaria control.
On 19 October, Dr Tseten Dorjee Sadutsang and Dr Dawa will speak on the integration of traditional medicine and allopathic medicine.
Dr Passang Norbu will give a briefing on strengthening of primary health care service. This will followed by an open discussion for the confirmation of resolutions.
Later in the afternoon, health secretary Mr Pema Damdul will preside over the administrative meeting.
The administrative meeting will include discussions on budget control, storage of vaccines and record keeping, feedbacks to the department of health.
