Dharamshala: Swiftly after assuming the role of the executive head of CTA, Sikyong Penpa Tsering had prioritized his commitment to tackling the Covid-19 situation in the Tibetan community. As such, the first step taken by him toward the mission was revamping the CTA’s Covid-19 Emergency Task Force and its roles. He had in his last press briefing attributed the task force committee a central authority in leading CTA’s Covid-19 responses and issue directives to settlement offices, departments, health centers, and other relevant offices in this new capacity.
Earlier this morning, Sikyong presided over a press conference to update the public on COVID-19 situation in India and detailed the measures taken by the new administration.
Along with the Sikyong, the press briefing was also presided over by CTA’s Covid-19 Task Force including Health Secretary Palden Dhondup, Director Tashi Tsering Phuri from Men-Tsee-Khang, Dawa Phunkyi, the Chief Administrator of Tibetan Delek Hospital, Education Secretary Jigme Namgyal Namgyalkhang, Dr Tenzin Tsundue, and Dr Rinchen Sangmo. The press conference was moderated by Additional Secretary Tenzin Lekshay from the Department of Information and International Relations (DIIR).
Addressing the Covid-19 situations in India and Nepal, Sikyong recounted three key issues prioritized by his administration beginning with the restructuring of the Emergency Task Force Committee.
Three key issues being:
1.Vaccination: Sikyong remarked on the success rate of vaccination in the Tibetan community owing to the immense support and contributions of monastic institutions, individuals, and charitable organisations. He also thanked the Indian government for including Tibetans in their free vaccination program.
According to the committee’s data, around 91.19% of the total eligible Tibetan population have been vaccinated. Around 38.2% are fully vaccinated while 52.67% have received the first dose. Only 5% of the Tibetan population is non-vaccinated.
As for the case of Tibetans in Nepal, Sikyong mentioned that despite facing several challenges initially, the Tibetans in Nepal were able to receive the vaccination without being segregated from fellow Nepalese and thanked the government of Nepal for vaccinating around 36% of the Tibetan population in Nepal.
“As per our set priorities, we have had a high success rate in vaccination compared to developed nations,” Sikyong gladly remarked while noting that the administration will begin prepping for the booster shot once the Tibetan community is fully vaccinated.
2. Supply of Equipment: The second priority was to ensure a sufficient supply of equipment for those suffering from covid and so far, Sikyong attested no case of shortcomings in the supply was reported.
3. Livelihood Support: The third priority, Sikyong explained was to provide livelihood support to those impacted by the pandemic and so far, a sum of Rs 3 crores were disbursed to the affected families. Sikyong assured that efforts are underway to prepare for the possible third wave of covid-19 and in this regard, he informed that necessary equipment has been allocated to various settlements. He also announced that some members of the task force committee will embark on assessment visits to the vulnerable communities with limited access to vaccination.
Health Secretary and Chair of Task Force Committee, Palden Dhondup detailed a comprehensive report on the initiatives and measures taken by the committee and Department of Health in combating covid ever since the beginning of the outbreak in the Tibetan community. He reported on the disbursement of Sorig immune boosters costing around Rs 78 lakhs and updated on the routine testing drive being carried in the Tibetan settlements.
Secretary Dhondup urged the Tibetans to avail themselves of the health care services at the Tibetan health centres noting it to be relatively cheaper than the private hospitals. He also briefed on the various training facilitated by the Health department on contact tracing and vaccination, etc. Lastly, he expressed his gratitude to USAID, PRM and various other charitable organisations for their contributions to the Tibetan community’s fight against Covid.
Secretary Jigme Namgyal Namgyalkhang briefed on the education department’s effort and preparedness to combat the possible third wave of Covid-19 in the Tibetan schools including the monastic institutions across India and Nepal. He reported on the virtual sessions held with the administration heads, staff, and medical team of over 70 schools and monastic institutions in India and Nepal presided over by Sikyong, Dr Tseten Dorjee, Chief Medical Officer of Tibetan Delek Hospital, and Dr Tsewang Tamdin, Chief Medical Officer of Men-Tsee- Khang.
Education Secretary also informed that a total of Rs 8.5 lakhs was disbursed by the 16th Kashag as covid relief fund to schools and monastic institutions to procure PPEs, oxygen concentrators, and to facilitate hybrid learning during the Covid era.
Tashi Tsering Phuri, Director of Tibetan Medical and Astrological Institute (TMAI) explained the efforts and initiatives taken by the institute from the disbursement of Sorig immune boosters to the vulnerable populations to the cost-free treatment of Covid patients. He also briefed on the services rendered by Mentsekhang External Emergency Team (MEET) to affected people.
Dawa Phunkyi, Chief administrator of Tibetan Delek hospital made a fervent appeal to the Tibetans especially those setting out to engage in seasonal businesses to follow the necessary covid norms.
Dr Tenzin Tsundue from Delek Hospital and Dr Rinchen Sangmo from TMAI also spoke at the press conference, dispelling misinformation about Covid 19 and explained how to properly protect yourself and the community from contracting and transmitting the virus.
The press conference was followed by a question and answer session.