Dharamshala: Health Kalon Choekyong Wangchuk on Tuesday inaugurated the first outdoor gym in Himachal Pradesh at Chauntra Tibetan settlement.
Kalon was received by the settlement officer Ms. Pema Youdon, Society President cum TSO Bir Dege along with Mr. Cheme D. Jagortsang, Bir Dege Local Assembly President, Mr.Tsering Dorje, Nangchen Local Tibetan Assembly vice-chairman, Mr. Pema Jigme, and Executive Secretary of Bir Tibetan Primary Healthcare Centre (TPHC), Ms. Karma Dolma at Ghatta, near Baijnath.
The settlement officer expressed her heartfelt gratitude to the Health Department, CTA for providing numerous funding for major health-related projects such as outdoor gym, basket ground, pipeline replacement, and COVID-19 preventive supplies including relief funds for Tibetans with mental health and specially-abled individuals. She also lauded the Tibetan Khamba Industrial Society, Nangchen Division for providing the required space for this open gym.
The Society President, Mr Jayang Gyaltsen extended his warm appreciation to the works of 15th Kashag led by Honorable Sikyong Dr Lobsang Sangay and offered a traditional scarf to mark their appreciation through Health Kalon.
Health Kalon emphasised the importance of COVID awareness and briefed on the purpose of building an outdoor gym facility which is to generate awareness and encourage regular exercise in the community. He also addressed the increased lifestyle-related diseases and encouraged theTibetan youth to indulge in healthy activities. He added that a project such as this one is an important step toward social and behavior change for a healthy community.
After the inaugural function, Kalon took a tour of the various project sites of his department such as basketball ground, drinking water pipeline and meter in Denang area, planned site for water tank, bore well, and recharge pit construction at BDS.
At last, he made a visit to Bir Primary health center and supervised the ongoing roofing project and renovation of the physio room, and had a short interactive session with TPCH nurses and staff. Kalon expressed his sincere appreciation towards them and Men-Tsee-Khang doctors for their dedication and hard work during this pandemic and wished them a pleasant Tibetan New year.
The project was financed under CTA’s special budget for FY 2020-2021.
-Filed by the Health Department