DHARAMSHALA: A three-day workshop on Tibetan Medicare System (TMS) is currently underway at the Library of Tibetan Works and Archives. The workshop is being organised by the Department of Health, Central Tibetan Administration.

 The workshop was inaugurated by Health Kalon Dr Tsering Wangchuk. In his address, he talked about the Tibetan Medicare system as a sustainable financing source designed to serve the health care needs of the entire Tibetan exile community.

He discussed the prevention of diseases as more important than cure and talked about creating more awareness about health and hygiene to stop the root causes of most diseases from developing.

 He also talked about the need to boost the capacity of Tibetan medical professionals and health workers. He said that a greater emphasis should be paid on Tibetan settlements located in remote areas where there is a lack of access to basic health amenities.

Health Secretary Sonam Choephel Shosur, in his speech, talked about the over all health issues facing the Tibetan community in exile. Mr Tsegyal Dranyi, additonal secretary of health, talked about the aims and objectives of introducing the Tibetan Medicare System.

The three-day workshop will conclude on 28 November. The agendas for discussion during the workshop include ‘How to enrol for Tibetan Medicare System’, ‘Claim Procedures and Documentation’, ‘Management of Information System (MIS)’, Strategic Communication etc.

Participants include Tibetan health workers, representatives of Tibetan settlement offices and staff from the Department of Health.