TIBETAN MEDICINE

Item

Title
TIBETAN MEDICINE
extracted text
RF_DR A_7_SUDHA

AIDS," says a solemn
notice at the entrance
Dr
(Lady)
Dolma
Khangkhar's clinic at Mcleoodganj. Evidently, mankinds
latest scourge is beyond the
reach of one of the oldest sys­
tems of medical practice in the
world, often touted as a
panacea for all disturbances of
the body and m nd.
Dr. Dolma's clinic on the ground
floor of a neat, white-washed,
double-storey building at the fag

I

credible view of the scenic grandeu- that is so patently Himachal

and spa^an

tants dispense the recommended

through which the sun’s- rays
stream in all day long
Dr Doima is in her fifties, softspoken and clad in the traditional
garb of her people. Thousands,

up Dy the traditional systems of

set up a meeting with her. She's
informal, kino and loving. For
many, a son word and a gentle
touch is enough to set off the cura­
tive process.
In Tibetan medicine all animate
and inanimate phenomen are com­
posed of the five cosmic energies:
Buddhist philosophy, the basis of
the Tibetan system, further compli­
cates the premise. According to it
a human being is composed of five
aggregates: form, feeling, recogni
tion. volition and primary con­
sciousness When all the aggre­
gates ere balanced, and when the
humours, physical energies and
excretions are in complete har­
mony, the human body is said to
be free from all physical ano mental
Dysfunction

'Eggs and garlic should not
be combined. Nor mus­
hrooms and dandelion oil.'
The humours are the biological
representations of the five cosmic
energies The three humours pre
force Easily translated they mean
wind, bile and phlegm. There are
seven physical energies and three
excretions The unhealthy body is
one where there is a disturbance in
any of these vital constituents,
thereby throwing the consolidated

Tibetan medicine has a strong
Oisease is attributed to ignorance
of the self Desire, hatred and closerhindedness. along with other
functions of the body
The seasons, evil forces, diet and
swrong behavioural patterns also

DR^' ^-1

Holistic
remedies
from Tibet
The Tibetan system of medicine is complicated and intriguing. Evolved over thousands of years, for­
tified in a strong spiritual bind, it has cured the body and mind of vital and chronic disturbances.
Rajendar Menen reports from Dharamsala, the vault of this age-old science.
as a whole. Any factor can upset its
delicate balance So a cure has also
to be considered from a holistic
standpoint.
'Our method of diagnosis is un­
complicated. There is no sophisti­
cated apparatus involved. But
many years have to be spent learn­
ing it,' says Dr. Dolma in her soft,
mellifluous tone "We begam by exo
mining the tongue and the urine. A
lot of facto's have to be studied
carefully. The colour of the urine,
its speed of discolouration, albu­
men content, steam, bubbles,
odour and sediment all point to the
state of the body "
The most difficult part is the pulse
diagnosis The Tibetan medicine
man plays a tattoo on both the
wrists to locate subtle disturbances.
Pulse reading also facilitates prog

The pulse of a healthy person is
read after he has observed the re­
commended diet and behavioural
pattern prescribed by the physician
for the preceding three to seven
days. This is followed up by a series
of questions to unravel the case his­
tory of the patient.
"Diet control is a very good re­
medy.' states Dr.Dolma. "Wo also
treat the patient psychologically.
For example, a person with a wind
problem should go out and make
friends. We have allevative medica­
tion which includes powder, pills,
syrup, medicated butter, ash, desi
ccated lintus and medicated wine
Purgatives and enemas are among
the eliminative medication."
Tibet grows most of its medicinal
plants on its verdant mountain
slopes Tibetan pharmacognosy is
a refined science which has evotvwj-

over thousands of years. It incorpo­
rates the knowledge of the history,
distribution, cultivation, collection,
selection, preparation, identifica­
tion and preservation of drugs and
substances affecting man’s health.
Collectors of medicinal plants are
generally skilled in the ad of idenEven partial substitution can de­
value the medicine

'The rhinoceros horn ab­
sorbs moisture and is of
great benefit in the treat­
ment of pleurisy or lung in­
flammation. The horn is ob­
tained from Assam and
Nepal.'

All parts which toxify the actjve
principles of the plant have to be
removed. For example, in the case
of roots the bark is regardec toxic
not because it is poisonous but be­
cause it is coarse and difficult to di­
gest.
Proper storage and preservation
help in retaining the natural po­
tency of the medicines for about a
year Moulding or the excessive ab
sorption of moisture should be pre­
vented to maintain the potency
"Most medicinal plants are
coarse and not fit for consumption
m their original state." points out
Dr. Dolma. "In our medical system.
the science of drug detoxification
and neutralisation is very impor-

"There are many methods to de­
Collection should also be done
toxify and neutralise a harmful con­
the right time when the plant con­
stituent of a drug. For example, to
stituting the drug is highest m its
neutralise a biosyntnetic con­
content of active principles. Roots,
stituent of a drug which produces
stems and branches should be col­
abdominal side-effects use promlected in the autumn; Leaves, saps
egranate as
a
neutraliser."
and seeds in July-August; Flowers
Medicines should be taken at the
fruits and seeds in the summer; and
exact time recommended Hot
barks and secretion in the spring
medicines should be taken early in
The broad rule is simply this. Pur­
the morning when phlegm man­
gative medicinal plants should be
ifests most prominently during the
collected after autumn when the
day. Cold medicine; should be
vegetative processes have ceased,
taken in the afternoon, and evening
and emetic medicinal plants col
when bile is most prominent Medi­
lected in spring when the vegeta
cation should be taken after food
live processes have just begun
has been digested, never with the
After collection and the initial
meal. Highly toxic medication
garbling, the medicinal plants are
cut and pounded slightly before
a meal, and purgatives and emetics
they are prepared to be dried Hot
on an empty stomach
drugs are dried in the sun and cool
Tibetan Materia Medica men­
drugs in the shade.
tions the use of 49 different types
Garbling is a process calling forth
of ordinary and semi-precious
the greatest care as it involves the
stones. From each of them a multip• rtriibvtffdCtflt Wtlan’eNJ.MiftfeV. ‘.UcilV of mgradienusre extracted-. ‘

varieties o' branches. 15 varieties
of roots, 30 different kinds of plant
fruits and 15 varieties of plants in
which all the parts are used.
In addition to Dr. Dolma and her
colleagues.
Dharamsala
also
houses the Tibetan Medical Centre,
the repository of all their medical
knowledge On a good day scores
of patients-usitthe resident doctors
there, and .. is a strange sight for a
visitor to see Lamas being
examined for blood pressure and
cardiac problems

Thanxt to the altitude, the long.
mandatory stretches to work and

the equally proportionate distance
from the rat race of the big cities,
the local T.-,etan has the constituhasn’t as vet been tested by the
c?ars of th'- allopathic world, and

'A child may be born re­
tarded due to karmic
causes. High-ranking and
spiritual!.’
accomplished
Lamas may also be reincar­
nated in this manner.'
But talk to those who flock to Dr.
Dolma and the other Tibetan doc­
tors and you unrave' a streak of
hope in a system entombed in the
mountain slopes beyond the mists
of time If it is nol the hidden scienco^
in the tiny, medicated black anti,
brown balls, it is probably the hpalv
ing touch of the godly spirit thqfhgi
visited4 the. Ipnd with/ jts, rnunffi.

7 9 MAR 1990

Ancient cure to ailments
By A.J. Singhx

in-cxilc. offers an cight-year course for

IBET'S ancient medical system qualifying as a doctor, “It’s a tough
used to be derided by outsiders course.” says Pasang Youlcn. the
principal. "Anyone seeking admission
as an unscientific mixture of magic.
tantra and hotch-potch. Now with its has to be extra-brilliant.”
The high success rate in diagnosis is
emphasis on curing the whole person
by dealing with physical, mental and obtained purely by pulse reading and
spiritual conditions, it is attracting examination of urine. Beside herbal
medicines, the treatment includes
interest all over the world.
Medical diagnosis with a 90 per meditation, acupuncture and spiritual
cent success rate and no lengthy tests healing.
vi expensive high-tech equipment,
This puts off man Westerners. Elior
sounds like an impossible dream for zabeth Finckh of West Germany, who

T

toxicity of 22 compounds ft
found in the
6rugs. particularly the monkshood in
Pad ma-28.
Swiss researchers, however, have •
credited Padma-28 with curative qua­
lities. They found that a long course of
the drug can cure blocked arteries.
Research has also shown the drug’s
beneficial effects on hepatitis and in
eliminating infections in children’s
respiratory systems.
TN Poland. Prof. J. Wojcizki head of
clinical pharmacology' at the
Medical Academy of Szczecin, finds
Padma-28 helpful in preventing clot­
ting in cases of severe anginal chest
problems.
Studies on Padma-28 by WarsawMedical School showed that it in­
creases the activity of white blood cells
in patients suffering from immunolo­
gical disorders. These white blood cells
regulate the body’s immune system.
Soviet scientists «have produced a
soluble tea based on recipes in Tibetan
medical tests, for treating ailments.
“Eight out of 27 plants used by the
Tibetan medics were found (by So­
viets) to help expel bile.” says Chris
Hollier. a Westerner studying Tibetan
medicine.

Two leading Tibetan doctors. Dr.
Yeshe Dhondon (former personal
physician of the Dalai Lama) and Dr.
Dolma (one of the few Tibctan-system
woman doctors outside Tibet), have
been invited to the United States,
Australia and other Western countries
many times to expound their system.
By demonstrating their skills for
on-the-spot diagnosis, they have not
only astounded Western doctors, but
also helped to dispel some myths
about their medical system. It was
long considered to be nothing but a
combination of magic, tantra and
hotch-potch,
Tibetan doctors do not believe in
prescribing drugs alone, but in restor­
ing the body’s balance historically by
attending to the patient’s physical,
mental and spiritual aspects.
They say that if symptoms ase
treated rather than the disease the
“illness will linger like fire.”
After years of uncertainty, the fu­
ture the Tibetan medicine looks bright
both w-ithin and outside Tibet.
During the Chinese Cultural Re­
volution (1966-76). the Red Guards
burnt many Tibetan texts and destroved most institutions. But after
is studying Tibetan medicine in Dha­ Mao Tsc-tung’s death. Beijing's policy
patients and doctors alike.
towards Tibet became more liberal.
Yet that is the striking claim made ramsala says: “We must be cautious.
for Tibetan medicine, which now has- critical and reserved concerning Tibe­ Old Tibetan books which had survived
active supporters all around the world tan medicine’s application. Western were traced and reprinted without
altering anything in them. They are
including India, the United States, the doctors will never be able to unders­
now freely available in China and
Soviet Union, China. Switzerland and tand it."
The pharmacy section of the Tibe­ Hong Kong. Many have reached
Poland.
For patients it promises less time tan Medical Centre, a hospital in . Dharamsala via Hong Kong.

spent waiting for results, while doc­ McLeod Ganj, Upper Dharamsala
tors, particularly in the third world. prepares over 2000 medicines mainly
need not depend on equipment they from herbs, metals, minerals and even
cannot afford or cannot obtain.
animals. Most herbs are collected
It was through India that the world from high Himalayan valleys and
got to hear more about Tibet’s ancient mountains.
• medical system, which is a synthesis of
Two Tibetan medicines seem to be
J India’s Ayurveda, the Chinese system catching on in the industrialised West:
5 and Tibetan practices.
Padma-28 and Padma-Lax. Tibetan
4
In 1959, when more than 70,000 doctors claim that Padma-28 aids
Tibetan refugees fled to India after the cardiovascular problems; Padma-Las is
uprising the Lhasa against the Chi- a laxative.
)f ncse, there w'ere barely two or three
The Swiss drug regulatory authori­
g doctors among them. Today, there are ties have approved both drugs after
s- more than 100, practising in 50 Tibe- testing. But critics do not set much
a tan settlements in India and Nepal.
store by this. They say that the Swiss
it
A Tibetan Medical College in appprove any drug that is not harmful
s- Dharamsala. the headquarters of the to humans. In the United States.
leNDalai Lama and his government - questions have been raised about the
in
---------------------------- ------------------

The Chinese also opened a hospital
in Lhasa in 1980 with 100 doctors
practising the Tibetan system. High
altitude farms to cultivate herbs have
been set up and colour catalogues
printed to help identify herbs.
In Western nations, alternative me­
dical practioncrs are attracted by Ti­
betan medicine’s holistic approach.
Many patients tum to Tibetan medi­
cine when Western medicine has not
given them a cure.
“Those who get cured — and many
arc — tell others and the word goes
round,” says Lobsang Rapgay, a PhD
in Tibetan medicine. "This is the best
form of publicity and the Tibetan/
doctors arc cashing on it." — Gemini
News
/ /

/^Tibetan, medicine a philosophy
By A Staff Reporter
By A Staff Reporter

negotiating for a centre in and the most expen
. urong is negotiating for a centre in and the most expensive were the
its influences could be seen various Bombay.
“precious" pills costing Rs 25 which
• BOMBAY, December 3.
courses and in Sri Lanka, where even
He said the Tibetan system had could be used for poisoning, he said.
. kings took an active interest in the cured cases of blood cancer and even
Most Tibetans carried1 •u
these
pills
— _.nTTISTORICALLY,
Buddha medical profession, he added.
AIDS but he could not make a claim for emergencies, he added. The limi­
JDlshould be called the father of
In India, this system of medicine that the medicine would be affective tations of the medicine were that
n sdicine and the Tibetan system prevailed upto the Gupta period and in all cases. He said there were too surgery was not developed and in
o medicine represents the zenith' then disappeared. That was when few cases and not enough research emergencies, strong drugs were not
o developmnt of the ancient (around the seventh century) that it had been done to make a categorical available for counteracting ailments.
entered Tibet, he said and the system assertion on the sbuject of curing Mr Tsarong said the herbs used for
Ii dian Buddhist medicine.
medicines grew only in certain high,
was strengthened with the instroduc- AIDS or cancer.
Mr T. J. Tsarong, ex-director of the tion of indigenous hebs peculiar to
He said the emphasis should be altitudes and they were almost be­
mountainous region
of Tibet. He placed on curing the disease through coming extinct. Some conservation
T betan Medical Institute of Medi- the
_________________
_ __________
ci re and Astrology and co-ordinator . said the concept of treatment in a change in lifestyle and diet and only methods were called for to preserve
o research and development at the Ayurvedia
..................
and the
■ Tibetan
------------------system if there was no effect should pills and these herbs and he was negotiating
institute, told reporters yesterday that was different and
— the
- type
.. of herbs other medicines be taken. The tra- with the government for some
ttfe Tibetan medicine had perfeetd used were totally
"
'
foreign
to ditional Tibetan system of medicine measures, he said.
In an earlier talk by the Dalai
aid improved on the use of herbs and Ayurveda.
is known as “Sowa Rigpa” or the
Lama’s personal physician, Dr L.
In Tibetan medicine, the golden “Knolwedge of Healing”.
plains andwas far more advanced
tian most ancient systems of medi­ needle therapy, blood letting,
He said spirits or evil influences Wangyal, a description of the Tibetan
cine.
diagnosis by pulse examination and could can problems like amnesia, system and its concepts of treatment
Jjt was a system that had prevailed urine analysis was widely practised. withdrawal symptoms and psy­ was given. The cultivtion of mental
for-over 1,500 years and documented In the first therapy, a heated golden chiatric disorders and past karmic peae and happiness will lessen suffer­
evidence could be found id the vari­ needle was applied to the head to cure influences could also contribute to ing, he said, and added that another
ous teachings of the Buddha. Bud­ ailment, he explained.
illnesses. Often the patient is har- such as anger, hatred and jealously
dha’s entire philosophy was based on
The system also used sophisticated rassed by spirits and this was revealed would cause people to lose their
alleviation of suffering and he sought medicines, pills, syrups, decoctions through interrogation, he said. He capacity to distinguished between the
an brtswer to its reality. There is no and ashes, he added. He said diseases said the five cosmic energies — fire, right and the wrong.
The casual seeds of- disorders
philosophy or religion which is so in Tibet were related to climatic water, air, earth and space — played
conducive to curing diseases, he said. conditions and there was no particu­ a major role on the health of the which th ebody invited were the five
Medicine played a tremendous role lar disease that was widely prevalent. person and therefore astrology was poisons of the mind — desire-attach­
in the spread of Buddhism all over
However, the Chinese aggresssion also used in healing in Tibetan medi­ ment, anger-hatred, egoism, jealousy
and ignorance-delusion. This further
Asia and the first visitors from Tibet and the subsequent reign of terror cine, he said.
to 'ndia were Buddhist monks who. that was unleashed had led to a rise
The charge for diagnosis was Re 1 produced three poisons of the mind
were physicians. One of them was a in tension and heart disease among earlier but now Rs 5 was considered called rlung, mkhris-pa and badkan
the minimum. In cities, however, • which in Sanskirt are termed vayu,
woman, he added.
many Tibetans, he said.
At the various Buddhist centres of
There are 30 centres for Tibetan there was an initial charge of Rs 3,0. pitta and kabha or air, bile and.
/
mingj’medicine was taught as a medicine in the country and Mr One dose of medicine cost 60 paise phlegm.
branch of Buddhist philosophy aftJ

COVER STORY

There is a new rage in
town. .More and more
people seem to be
convinced that their
illnesses are being cured
by the Tibetan’s touch, A
treatment where the
study of the pulse is
all-important and the
medicine men strike at
the roots

■^A 17th century silver icon of
Thang-ston rGyal-po, the
wellknown yogic who, betwe*
his thumb and index finger,
holds the Grub-thob Ril-dkai
a pill he formulated for
Bad-kan, a general cold
disorder due primarily to
lack of digestive heat

Dr S. Wangdu Changbhar
dispensing herbal medicine

Miracle Men

ibet, best described as Roof of the
World, still conjures up a feeling of
magic, mystery and mysticism.
Perhaps this was why Tibetan medicine
was mumbo jumbo to the first Western
travellers in the 16th and 17th centuries.
It is said that the first lady doctor in
Tibet came from India in the 2nd century.
Her companion married a princess and
became royal physician in the Tibetan
court where doctors were held in highest
esteem. The profession is still a hereditary
one and even today, a "bom' doctor is
considered sometimes more qualified than
one holding a piece of paper.
High on a hfl! near the capital Lhasa, the
first Tibetan Medical College .was estab­
lished by Dese Sangay Gyatso, regent of
the fifth Dalai Lama in the 17th century. I
Chokepure, the medical course was not a
five or 10 year one. Here 300 monks
devoted their lives learning the art of heal­
ing. The medico monks walked through
meadow’s and forests identifying and col­
lecting plants—roots, leaves, flowers,
seeds and bark, and all the while chanting
imntras.
In 1916. during the time of the 13th
Dalai Lama, the Lhasa Astro-Medical Cen­
tre was founded. For the first time, lay
people including women were admitted.
Return to nature is the last call for
survival in the last decade of the 20th
century. The pendulum has already swung
towards nature cures and therapies and
the ancient indigenous medical systems of
the East Ln the West, Grandma’s simples
and Aunt's potions have reappeared in
medicine chests and on toilet tables,
patented and packed in eye-catching con­
tainers. Tibetan medicine is the latest en­
trant in the field of systems other than
allopathy in Calcutta.
What is Tibetan medicine? A "dynamic
and integral aspect of Tibetan culture is its
traditional system of natural medicine."
Similar in many respects to the ancient
Ayurvedic system of medicine which,
most agree, travelled to Tibet from India
with Buddhism, it has been influenced by
the native Tibetan Bon, the Chinese,
Unani. Turkish and Greek systems. Tibe­
tan medicine has been slow to catch on.
Other systems of alternative medicines
have received recognition from time to
time. Perhaps one of the reasons for its
exclusion to date is that very little is really
known about Tibet. The system is still
shrouded in mystidsij»
Tibetan meical theory holds that the
cause of disease is in the mind and the
essence of Buddhism is to develop the
mind over matter. The three poisons of
anger, attachment and ignorance disturb
the delicate balance of the human mind and
body causing sickness. The Buddhist way
of healing is to eliminate*these poisons and
create a positive mental approach. Like

T

By Bunny Gupta
and Jaya Chaliha
Photographs: Subhajit Pal
Ayurveda and Unani, the treatment is of
'opposites’. For example, if the body is
overheated (solar), a cooling (lunar) medi­
cine is given. The doctor treating his ’un­
balanced’ patient must be a man of com­
passion. For those doctors who practice

Dharma, the medicine is a practical ap­
plication of their religion.
Diagnosis is first and foremost in any
system of treatment In Tibetan medicine,
the doctor ‘watches’ and ‘feels'—he
observes his patients and feels the pulse in
13 different ways. In some disorders, he
analyses the urine by the use of his senses
of sight smell and taste. In serious cases,
pulse diagnosis is done at twilight when
the beat is supposed to reflect the body’s
performance best

Jigme Tsarong: Medicine man from the mountains
5

Gautam Buddha taught that all things
are composed of the five cosmic ener­
gies—earth, water, fire, air and ether. He
left the comforts of his palatial home to
relieve suffering on earth. Therefore, for
the Buddhist, medicine is one of the
necessities of life. During the Bhopal gas
leak tragedy in 1984, it was reported that
some Tibetans were noticed distributing
medicines to the affected. Relief and even
cures are said to have been effected.
Buddha’s personal teachings in the Kanjur contain analogies on medicine and the
later Tanjur by the masters has the medic-

Dr Changbhar’s Tibetan Herbal Medicii

Tibetan Medical and Astro Institute, Jadavpur

al texts. These are in Pali and Sanskrit and
are preserved in India and other parts of
die world outside TibetMany medicinal Buddhas have been
reincarnated in the two and a half millen­
niums. Yu-Thog-yon-tan mGon-po (708833AD) is the Father of Tibetan Medicine.
He synthesised the best of Central Asian
medicinal traditions of the time and de­
veloped Tibetan medicine on the Ayurve­
dic system. A later Buddha, Tharg-ston
rGyal-po (1385-1510) formulated the first
aspirin and is seen holding the panacea in
the fingers of his right hand.
In India, the first modem centre for
Tibetan medicine was established in Dharamsala by the present Dalai Lama in 196061. One of its early directors was T. Jigme
Tsarong, the man partly responsible for
the emergence of the Tibetan system from
the cloud of superstition and mystery. Af­
ter graduating from the Valparaiso Uni­
versity in the USA, he worked on Wall
Street— "Portfolio Management," he
adds with a twinkle in his eye. Yes, he
earned a quick buck. but was not happy.

He returned to Dharamsala and offered his
/ervices to the Dalai Lama. During the
eight years that he was director, besides
his administrative functions which were
many, he became deeply involved in the
study of the medical system.
When he relinquished the post, Tsarong
started a crusade to preserve the sources
of medicine and to propagate the system.
“Tibetan medicine is Buddhist medicine, ’’
he says, and claims that Tibet is the only
one among the Buddhist countries where
the system was preserved and developed
in its purest form. He feels very strongly

preparation is continued at the factory in
Dharamsala where the pills are made now.
Precious stones, metals and animal ex­
tracts are ingredients of some of the medi­
cines. We read in T.J. Tsarong's Hand­
book of Traditional Tibetan Drugs that
elephant’s gallstones, bear’s bile and rhi­
noceros hom form three of the ingredients
of Gi-Wang 13 used for the cure of internal
haemorrhages. More easily available substi­
tutes are taken from domestic animals.
The medicines are relatively cheap—no
pathological fees! Two weeks supply of
medicines at the Tibetan Astro-Medical
Institute is around Rs 40.
alcutta had its first taste of Tibetan
golis a few years ago when a medical
camp was organised at the Institute of Jute
Technology, Ballygunge, by an industrial
house. The team of doctors was led by the
Dalai Lama’s persona] physician Hun­
dreds of Calcuttans arrived for pulse di­
agnosis. Pills were prescribed and dis­
pensed for a month’s course. The pre­
scriptions carried the address of the Dhar­
amsala Centre where the patient could
follow up the treatment through corres­
pondence.
Almost two years old, Tibetan medicine
is available at two permanent centres in
the city. The third turning on the left
behind the 8B bus stop terminus at Jadavpur and turn left again at the paan shop
which looks as if it is in the middle of the
road but isn’t, and there is 9, East Road,
Calcutta 700 032, the Tibetan Medical &
Astro Institute. Dr Perna Donee and his
wife, also a doctor are both representa­
tives of the Dalai Lama's medical centre in
Dharamsala from where they graduated.

C

Centre, Lake Gardens
that a patient has the right to know about
the medicines given him. This, Tsarong
beheves will help him respond positively to
the medication
At his home in Durpin. Kalimpong, he
spends his time studying and translating
Tibetan texts. He is compiling a medical
dictionary, and is the author of two books,
of which the Handbook of Traditional Tibe­
tan Drugs contains 175 medicines with
their cures and actions. The book is avail­
able at the Nizamuddin Clinic in Delhi and
at Oxford Bookshop in Darjeeling.
Tsarong's hobbies include golf—he is a
member of the ‘Groovy Squares, ’ a popu­
lar foursome at the annual Wills’ Tourna­
ment at the Tollygunge Club. Far removed
from golf is his other hobby, the manufac­
ture of Nirvana joss sticks whose aroma
claims to purify the air, increase concen­
tration and has other therapeutic qualities.
The basic ingredients of Tibetan medi­
cine are mainly herbal as those used in the
Ayurvedic system. Methods of prepara­
tion and application differ. The old tradition
of ritual and prayers during the stages of

Dr Changbhar looks into the problem

The shelves m the waiting room-cumdispensary are lined with large plastic jars
full of pills of different colours and sizes.
Young Tibetans from Dharamsala man the
counter and dispense the pills according to
prescriptions written in Tibetan by the
doctors.
The consultation hours from 9 am to 12
noon and 2.30 pm to 6 pm are crowded.
Tuesday is a holiday. Mosquitoes from the
small tree-shaded garden descend like
bombers while you wait, but it is worth it.
The gentle caring manner of the young
couple win the patient’s confidence and
provide a strong psychological support
which, as one patient says, “always makes
me feel good, not just well, but good.”
A young woman executive of LIC has d"'
history of allergic asthma. A year ago she'
was suddenly incapacitated and as a last
resort visited the newly opened centre.
The Dalal Lama’s physician. Dr Wangyal
not only relieved her agony but she has
not had another attack and is a firm con­
vert to Tibetan medicine. The doctor
pulse-diagnosed depression in a middleaged woman and his medicines have
helped her overcome her condition and
with no side effects. Mr Hutt, a seaman
who suffered a severe heart attack is now
fit enough to go back to sea. Mrs Hutt has
had the cataract removed from one eye and
prefers to try Tibetan treatment for the
other. She waits, a little apprehensively,
for ‘Serkheb’, the Golden Needle
Therapy.
Dr Dorjee patiently explains, “There
are four important things—diet, be­
haviour, medicine and therapy. Abuse of
either diet or behaviour causes an imba-

lance in the body. For example, too little
food intake or over-exercise. "Minor dis­
eases can be corrected by regulation of
diet and behaviour,’’ says the doctor.
"Then there are mild and strong medi­
cines.” Tibetan medicine has a number of
therapies—‘Targo’ or bloodletting, ‘Moxa’
or heat treatment by friction of wood or
metal, for example, a piece of ‘Aguru’
wood rubbed briskly and applied to the
painful arthritic point, medicinal baths and
oil massage for the aged.
Observing diet restrictions during
medication give maximum benefit These
depend on the nature of the disease. Cof­
fee is taboo for most afflictions specially
nervous disorders and arthritic conditions,
but not so alcohol in moderation. 'Foreign’
beer is not recommended probably be­
cause it is fizzy. Like the Ayurvedic ‘anupams’, the pills should ideally be crushed in
a mortar and pestle and swallowed with
warm water, milk or Chang (millet beer).

Dr Perna comes over loud and dear
regarding the use of steroids in Tibetan
medicine. He is emphatic that the system
which has come to spread Buddhism, does
not contain cortizone or any chemicals for
that matter. He spoke of the abundance of

CURES THAT HAVE ENDURED
he group names are many: tradi­
tional. alternative, unorthodox and
fringe medicines as opposed to ortho­
dox allopathy. Some have stood the
test of time like Ayurveda, Unani and
Homoeopathy while others are yet to be
taken seriously.

T

AYURVEDA:
The laws for a long life are among
the most ancient and scientific medical
systems of the world. It is the base of
other systems. Its content was so vital
that Ayurveda become the Pancham or
fifth Veda of the Hindus. Ayurveda
treats the patient and not the disease,
has a holistic approach and treats the
three humours or ‘Tridoshas’—Kaf,
Pith and Vayu which constitute the hu­
man body with mainly herbal remedies.
Diagnosis is done by feeling the pulse
and the treatment is one of opposites.
Among the aushadhalayas, Sadhana,
Dabur and Baidyanath have cut short
the Kaviraj’s work by bottling patented
Ayurvedic medicines.

YOGA:
Yoga centres in the city hold early
morning classes. Meditation, pra­
nayam and yogasanas combine to keep
the body healthy and the mind alert.

potions are prepared with mortar and
pestle or home distilled arq. Hamdard
(Ghaziabad) has patented a number of
Unani medicines under a trade name
like Safi and Cinkara.

HOMOEOPATHY:
Just two centuries ago. Hahnemann
began his Materia Medica on the
theory of like cures like. In Calcutta,
interest in the tiny white globule was
aroused by the arrival of Rajendra Lal
Dutt's first homoeopathy box abroad
an American sailing vessel. In the city,
homoeopaths are second in number
and practice to only allopaths. The
medicine is the cheapest and the pills
can be popped into the mouth without
much ado. There are many restrictions
during medication. Homoeopathic
medicine shops can be found in all the
paras of the dty.

ACUPUNCTURE:
In the 1970s, acupuncture brought
from China by Dr Bose was popular in
Calcutta. Needles are used to puncture
the skin at particular points. The idea is
to restore the chi or energy essential
for good health. Acupuncturists are not
easy to find in the city.

UNANI:

ACUPRESSURE:

Unani came to India from the near
East through Arabia with the Islamic
invaders, teamed hakims attend the
dawakhanas at Colootola, opposite the
Nakhoda Mosque and at Park Circus.
They listen patiently before feeling the
pulse and inspecting the tongue. The

At an acupressure centre on Park
Street, finger pressure is used at nodal
points to restore the energy according
to the Japanese and Chinese therapies.
The patient can help himself once he
knows the points. Asthma and mig­
raine are conveniently relieved.

medicinal herbs m Tibet. Now these are
collected from Ladakh, Himachal Pradesh,
Sikkim and the Himalayan region.
He made a point that herbs must be
grown in their natural geo-climatic condi­
tion if they are to retain their properties.
All the medicines at this centre are com­
pounded in the Astro Medical complex in
Dharamsala. With the growing demand,
supply may become a problem in future.
Dr Perna observed that when he joined the
Jadavpur clinic in October 1989, there
were 700 patients. Today his register has
2,800 cases and he daily administers to
between 40-90 people.
Dr S. Wangdu Changbhar is in charge of
the older centre of Tibetan herbal medi­
cine at 164/45/1, Prince Anwar Shah Road,
Calcutta -700 045. The landmark is the
Syndicate Bank at Lake Gardens. Dr
Changbhar left his home in southern Tibet
as a small boy with his family. His father,
now 86 years old is a 'hereditary' doctor
practising in Nepal and his son is a 13th
generation doctor who is also a Menrampa
degree holder from the Tibetan Medical
College, Dharamsala. When he was prac­
tising at Delhi he agreed to the request of
his patients from Calcutta to start a centre
in their dty. His patients found him the flat
he lives and works in since 1988. His
charming wife, Yangcheu Lhamo, ^recep­
tionist, dispenser and instruction-giver.
Soft-spoken, Dr Changbhar said, "The
natural system of Tibetan medicine gives
wonderful results and permanent cures for
'prolonged chronic diseases like jaundice,
diabetes, rheumatoid-arthritis, spondyli­
tis, hypertension, hepatitis, gastric prob­
lem, insomnia, piles, asthma, fits, heart
disease, neuritis problem and many other
ailments which cannot be cured by other
systems. Even the primary cases of can­
cer can be treated successfully. ”
A few letters were reluctantly pulled out
of his drawer. An advocate at the Supreme
Court writes that he had insomnia, suf­
fered "greatly from sinus" and had a his­
tory of dysentry from childhood. He felt
much better after seven days of Tibetan
medication. Another patient writes that he
had anaemia as a result of second and third
degree Haemorroids and had to be given
blood transfusions. Seven days of Tibetan
medicine showed remarkable results. One
of his Calcutta patients is a young giri who
had been bed-ridden with arthritis for
three years. Under Dr Changbhar’s treat­
ment she is able to go shopping and enjoys
an occasional movie.
The 'feel and watch’ technique of di­
agnosis detects any imbalance in the three
humours—rLung, Triba and Bhakan which
the.doctor found difficult to translate but
which correspond to the tridoshas of Ayur­
veda. He says that the imbalance has a
"close relationship with the mind." There
are no consultation fees. Again, the medi-

ones are relatively cheap and his clientele
mainly well-to-do. He treats some poor
patients free.
The doctor makes some of the medi­
cines at his clinic from herbs from Arunachal. Both Drs Perna and Changbhar
have 'precious pills' containing rare ingre­
dients such as gold dust, emerald and hom
of mountain goat Two such ar Rinchin
Tso-Tru Dhushal and Rinchin Ratna Samphel.
It was 4 pm and the waiting room was
already full. The hours of consultation are
9 am to 12 noon and 4 to 7 pm Sunday is
half day and Monday is a holiday.
What is the orthodox medical practition­
er's reaction to Tibetan medicine? Many
allopathic doctors are not aware of the
system. However, they have varied viewon alternative medicines. Some actually
prescribe the standardised Ayurvedic and
Unani remedies for chronic diseases. "As
Dr Mihir Mitter, a prominent radiologist of
the Chittaranjan Cancer Hospital, says,
‘‘There is definitely a scientific base to
these methods of healing and the end re­
sult is what really matters. The same ing­
redients are often common to both indige­
nous and allopathic drugs such as Raulfia
Serpentina. Belladonna and Aconite, but
the concentration in alternative medicines
is much lower. Hence the healing process
is a slow one.
When asked about Tibetan medicine, Dr
Adi Gazdar, a well known pediatrician said
he knew nothing about it except that there
was now a treatment centre in Calcutta.
"If my patients were having some pro­
longed or maintenance therapy for some
chronic conditions I have no objection to
their trying alternative medicme as long as
they do not stop their maintenance allo­
pathic drugs and keep me informed."
An eminent eye surgeon confessed that
she had had no exposure to Tibetan medi­
cine. According to the medical discipline
she belongs to, positive proofs are re­
quired at every stage. For example, if an
arm is said to be broken and then mended,
X’Rays showing the break and the joining
are required. Sonya Noor, a medical stu­
dent, has very positive feelings about
alternative medicine. She considers it her
job to heal and the end she feels justifies
the means what ever they are.
The revival of traditional and com­
plementary medicines has opened up new
paths to healing. The Dalai Lama’s Insti­
tute has opened 35 centres in India.
Medical camps are held in different parts
of the world—England, Bulgaria, France,
Spain and Holland. Dr Pema was well re­
ceived in Holland last year and leaves for
England shortly.
In a troubled and cruel world, the gentle
approach of Tibetan medicine reaches'
beyond the scope of modem hi-tpdn
medical science, c
/ ,

TEE ,'.v-

j hink of me as a kind
of electrical engineerwhocangenerate
bio-electrical
er at .1 direct this force
• trough t le nervous system to
clear the blockages there and
turn neg. ve energy positive,”
says Swat i Dheeraj, an Ameri­
can he.T. who heads the Osho
Institute >f Tibetan Pulsing
Healing it the Osho Internation­
al Commune in Pune.
Swam. Dheeraj is dressed in
the black robe and white sash of
the group leaders of the commu­
ne, and sports a turquoise blue,
semi-precious stone bindi. 1
w ould have been tempted to dis­
miss this serene and smiling
man as some kind of a w eirdo if
it hadn't been for the fact that I
had undergone a session in
Tibetan Pulsing Healing the day
before, with telling results.
What had occured during my
“mystic massage"? Two dis­
ciples of Swami Dheeraj, a
Swiss and a German, had led me
to a quiet, softly-lit room cover­
ed almost entirely with a large,
black bed. I had been told that
through the use of music and
touch, after a few preliminary
questions and investigations, 1
would get a sense of what Tibe­
tan Pulsing Healing was like. I
was asked if I had any chronic
complaints and whether I exer­
cised. Both the women took
turns to peer into my eyes w ith a
small torch.
Incredibly, they had zeroed in
on a childhood health problem
anda long and debilitating emo­
tional setback from the past.
“We will work on your
shoulders, head and lower back
(I had mentioned my back pro­
blem) and also work on the
hara," 1 had been told.
The hara, a spot about two
inches below the navel, is sup­
posed to be the storehouse of all
negative energy (such
as
anger), according to the Tibe­
tans. This centre is the focus of
training during martial arts les­
sons. AccordingtoSwami Dhee­
raj, the hara can be used for
both external defense, as in the
martial arts, or internal defen­
se, as in Tibetan Pulsing
Healing, where it operates as a
sort of a immune centre.
For over an hour, when 1 lost
my sense of time and had some
trouble hanging on to my jour­
nalistic objectivity, etc, and
recording the many sensations
coursing through my body, the
two sanyasins worked with tire­
less
professionalism.
The
fusion music they played alter­
natively soared and fell as my
head, neck, shoulders, lower
back, hara and legs were subjec­
ted to a healing touch. At one
point, after they had worked on
my hara, I felt as if my stomach
had vanished altogether and all
mytentions had melted away.
This wasaccompanied by soo­
thing images from nature—a
bird flying, the green haze of a
forest.
I
was
definitely
lightheaded by the end of the
session, and was rightly told to
avojd screaming traffic and
oilier such violations for a whi­
le. My two attendants (or should
that be angels?!) said that they
hadj been practising Tibetan
Pulsing Healing for over thr“e

'

•77

S'

1 6 NOV

01 c

|
J
I
■

THE
TAMING
OF THE
‘HARA’

years and lound it infinitely
relaxing, and a meditative
experience.
“1 am a very physical person.
If my body is OK. then my mind
is OK too. So this work really
suits me,” said one. The other
woman spoke about how, for
her, this was a continual pro­

cess of centering and growth.
though it was difficult to put into
words.
Swami Dheeraj appears to
face the same problem when it
comes to stating the whys and
wherefores of Tibetan Pulsing
Healing, even though he had a
fascinating tale to tell. Starting

The /?ara, asptwo inches bel
navel, is suppt
bethestoreho
negative ener
according to tt
Tibetans.Swa
Dheeraj, heaC
Osho Institute
Tibetan Pulsii
Healing, spea
VeenaGokh
tensions, and
too, melted av
hands of the s

out as an adman and alcoholic
in Hollywood, he stumbled
upon meditation, after trying
out all kinds of other cures for
his drinking habit. “Meditation
helped me gather internal
strength and radically altered
my perception,” he says. To
close his eyes in meditation was'

tos
gy
tiot
fou
wit
gy,
say

nal

THE ENERGY
AROUND US
11 great,ancient cultu­
res took into consideration thesubtlebut
distinct effects of the envi­
ronment, such as the shape
ofthe buildings, on the
human body.Thistraditional know ledge is known as
Geomancy. Geobiology, a
branch of modern science,
also pursues similar
interests.
Ernst Hartman, a German
physician, has developed an
instrument called the ‘Lobe
Antenna'to measure what
he discovered is a grid of
energy lines emanating
from the earth’s surface and
circumspecting the globe. At
the junctions, and on the
lines themselves, the energy
level is very low and harmful
to man. These spots and lines
give a reading ofiOOO Bovis
on a Biometre scale. It’s cor­
responding electrical poten­
tial is 250 millivolts.
Zero Bovis represents the
absence of all energy, that is,
death. The energy level of a
normal,healthy human
body is 6500 Bovis. The differ­
ent chakras ofthe body have
energy levels ranging from

A

e fiara, a spot about
o inches belowthe
k vel, is supposed to
the storehouse of all
gative energy_____
wording to the______
■elans.Swami_____
eeraj.head of the
ho Institute of
etan Pulsing
aling. speaks to
;na Gokhale whose
sions.and stomach
, melted away at the
idsofthesanyasins

coholic
mbled
trying
es for
ation
ernal
“red

t< see colours, experience ener­
gy (lows and have his percefrtr. n “expand like a lotus.” “1
lb ind that 1 could melt tumours
w th my own bio-e ectric energy so 1 became a healer,” he
sa ys.
is the practitioner of an allerna e therapy. for which he had

no name, he was in the right
place. Hollywood was full of
people in need of help. “1 would
get this call: James Coburn is
suffering from stress, come
over.” While he was busy saving
insecure actors and doped out
musicians, he encountered a
Tibetan Master, a Buddhist
monk well on his way to
enlightenment.
It was then that he began to
get a sense of what it was that he
was into. “These guys knew
what 1 was talking about, just as
Osho knew, even though he was
in Oregon and we had never
met. Tibetan Pulsing Healing
had been practised in that coun­
try for over 5000 years. It is a sys­
tem that gives you an entry into
the nervous system. Over the
years I had constructed maps of
the nervous system, maps
which guided me to the com­
plex yet identifiable processes
of the nervous system.”
According to Dheeraj, eve­
rything, even mental illnesses,
star! inside the body. Nothing is
external. For example, we get
depressed if our liver-brain link
is jeopardised. All that he does is
direct a current flow into an
area of negative electric charge,
say a hara filled with anger and
tension, and changes the ener­
gy into a positive one, leading to
relief,
if
not
bliss
and
transformation.
“The willingness to let go and

6500 to 16,000 Bovis.
The same energy levels
have been measured in the
innermost chambers (the
sanctum santorum or garbhagriha) of religious
buildings. For example, in a
church, around a cross, the
energy level could be about
11,000 Bovis.
Certain symbols too have
high energy levels. The
Egyptian/ln/rh,or“key of
life” measures upto 9000
Bovis while dum has an ener­
gy level of70,000 Bovis. The
Indian swastika measures

relax is the key,” he says.
“Breast cancer, for example,
is caused by melancholia.
These patients love melancho­
lia and will not let go of it. You
have to be open, and ready for
consciousness
expansion.”
Though some ofSwami Dheera­
j’s utterances are hard to swal­
low, the point is that his system
seems to work and people who
have tried it swear by it.

Back in California, Swami
Dheeraj met other Tibetan
monks who, when asked forguidance, said things like: “Follow
the directions of those who
speak to you in love.” They con­
jectured that Dheeraj had been
a monk, in his last incarnation,
and speculated that he was to
meet “The dragon,” whom they
described as the most radical
Master of all.
“1 was at this seminar in Lon­
don where I had been working
for a while, when I was surroun­
ded by these strange, orange
people, you know, the followers
of Rajneesh.” Dheeraj had
heard of The Bhagwan and had
enjoyed his writings and was
swept on, eventually to Oregon.
“Osho had an understanding of

10 lakh Bovis while Hitler's
version has a low energy
level of 1000 Bovis only.
Sandstone and marble
have high positive energies
while diamond, graphite
and quartzhax e a very nega­
tiveenergy.
How is man affected by
these grids? Each cell of our
body is like a radio receiver
with its ow n characteristic
frequency at the w avelength
of 22 cm. To receive other
frequencies the cell needs an
electrical potential of 70
milli-volts, corresponding to
11,000 Bovis, which it draws
from the liquid that forms
the cell. Each cell receives
fundamental energies in the
form of vibrations from
nature.
The sun's rays, for exam­
ple, are a source of natural
energy. A red flower has a
base energy of6500 Bovis
which shoots up to 7200
Bovis when the sun’s rays fall
on it.Unfortunately.apart
from natural energies, w e
are now inundated with
negative radiations from
TVs,electrical equipment,
synthetic clothes, cement
buildingsand a host of other
things. These disrupt the
vibrational energy ofour
cells and. over a period of
time, cause ill-health.
Research efforts are being
made to study how this nega­
tive energy can be neutrali­
sed. Yoga suggests just one
method ofdoing this.
Architecture based on the
ancient principles of Geo­
mancy is another.

—(Based on The Mysterious
Energy That Surrounds Us;
by Prabhat Poddar.)

what I was doing. He was the
radical Master the monks had
been talking about. He helped
me explore further, use colour
and sound in my therapy. And
now I am here, at the Osho Insti­
tute
of
Tibetan
Pulsing
healing,”
explains
Swami
Dheeraj.
He loves the fact that he works'
inside a huge, marble pyramid
at the commune, and instead of
commuting to work, walks'
acrossa 12-acre meditation gar­
den (the Nallapark)toget there.
This is his sanctuary. The last
time he visited the USA, he had
trouble establishing that he
existed, since he had no bank
account, driver’s license or ID
card! Fortunately, he chanced
upon a copy of his birth certifica-’
te and got his work done.
Currently. Swamy Dheeraj is
conducting a 30-da'y workshop'
at the commune, imparting his
esoteric art to others in his
unhurried way. He travels to
other centres in his ride as a
teacher and healer. He conside -s himself well on his way and
so engrossed in Tibetan Pulsing
Healing that he has gone on
from being "a healer to a
gardener.”
\

P
fe

et the patient give Dr Tse w an g
Dolkar Khangkar a big hand, but

ESA she’s really asking for is his
wrist. According to Dr Khangkar. who
v. ields her magic from the Dolkar Chmc
in Delhi’s Kalkaii area, the ancient Tibe­
tan science of medicine make.-, it possi­
ble for the skilled to diagnose illnesses
merely by readme the patient s pulse.
Khangar
say s
her
mother was the !3tr. in
her family's line of doc­
tors. and'it wa> she who
taught her daughter ’this
most difficult branch of
Tibetan
medicine
to
master". By now. the
14th Khangkar doctor is
confident of her art.
"By reading the pulse
rhythms. I can tell the
underlying disorders in
the body.’ she asserts.
According to her. there is
a link between the pulse
beats and the three consti­
tutional humours of the
human body "There is a
male, female and a
neutral pulse each of
them indicating whether
a person is suffering from
a wind, bile or phiegm disorder."
she elaborates. ’’So if the pulse appears
to ‘swim’ then it indicates a wind disor­
der. If it is weak and slow then it mani­
fests a phlegm disorder. And if the pulse
has a strong fast beat, then it indicates a
bile disorder.’

Apparently, not necessarily docs a
’male’ pulse-beat occur only in a man.

In ancient Tibet, medicine and astrolo­
gy were taught side by side, says Khang­
kar. and the presence of a male pulse in a
woman not only enlightened the physici­
an about his patient’s health, but also
about her future That unusual form of
interpretation still holds, apparently, for
when Khangkar encounters such a case
in her practice today she predicts a lot
more for her woman patient than mere
recovery. "She will be very rich and will
give birth to more sons than daughters."
she pronounces.
SUNDAY-3—IS Ooew-o--19a;

"Whereas a man with a female pulse
will have a very long life and. also, tend
to father more daughters than sons." said
the doctor-cum-astrologer.
If Dolkar’s claims sound a little far­
fetched. she slops short, at least, of say |
ingher medicine heralds the end to can- I
cer or AIDS. She also admits frankly !
that while she ha- sometimes cured |

mineral baths and even the intake of pre­
cious stones.
Yes. astonishing as it may seem, the
doctor recommends turquoise for liver ■
diseases, opal as a tonic and pearl for dis- ‘
eases of the brain.
The medicines cost about Rs 50 a
week "Not much considering the herbs I
are hand-picked from places as far off as

In ancient Tibetan medicine, says Dolkar Khangkar. a pulse-reading
told you as much about a person's future as his health
people whose allopathic treatment had
failed them, at limes the reverse is also
true.
Clearly, her patients are willing to
take the chance. And most have not been
sorry. The family of one cancer patient
talks of how Dolkar was able to rum the
six months the patient had been given of
bedridden pain to a year of able-bodied
life before the disease finally killed him.
The 60-70 patients that daily visit her cli­
nic in Kalkaji complain of diseases as
varied as mental disturbance and the
common cold. And the cures also vary,
from especially prepared herbal medici­
nes to acupunctures, moxabustion (i.e.
the application of certain herbs that are
burnt directly on the skin), massages,

Sikkim. Ladakh, and Kashmir." says a
Tibetan youth working m the clinic.
"And each medicine is made according
to the needs of the patient. There is no
standard pill even for a minor
headache." he adds
For patients long used to doctors who
make them undergo laborious tests and '
X-rays only to dismiss them with a pre­
scription for Crocin at the end of it all.’
this must come as a change. Few ail­
ments quickly respond to treatment, and
while patients sit out the terrible period
of waiting, it must help to have a doctor
with a bedside manner who makes medi­
cines especially for you. ■>
Priya Sahgal/New Delhi

81

TIBETAN
MEDICINE
Dr. Namgyal K. Qusar*

he early inhabitants of Tibet,
like all ancient peoples
throughout the world,
devised their own natural
remedies. The indigenous religion
of Tibet-Bon-had its own medical
tradition. Its founder, Sherap
Mibo, from the country of ShangShung situated north of Mount
Kailash near Lake Mansarovar
revealed this teaching to his son,
Che-be-ti-shey and seven other
sages. Thus the history of Tibetan
medicine began many centuries
before Buddhism came to Tibet.
Cultural and religious contact
between India & Tibet first took
place in the 2nd century A.D
during the reign of Lha-tho-thorinyen-tsen, the 28th King of
Tibet. At that time, two Indian
physicians, Vijay and Bela, came
to Tibet. On hearing of their vast
knowledge of medicine, the King
invited them to the royal court. In
recognition of his skills, the king
gave a princess to Vijay. From this
marriage, a son, Dhungi-thorchok, was bom who later became
the court physician and is
celebrated as Tibet's first native
physician. From him, through an
unbroken lineage, the medical
techniques were handed down
and preserved in Tibet.
Further influence from
neighbouring countries took place
during the region of King Songtsen-Campo (617-650) when Tibet

T

emerged as one of the strongest
political and military powers of
Central Asia. The King invited the
physicians, Bharadvaja from India,
Han-weng-Handge from China
and Galeno from Turkey. Each
physician translated the works of
his tradition and contributed his
own knowledge of medicine.
Together, they compiled a volume
called "Mi-jik-pai-tson-cha"
(Weapon of a Fearless one) and
offered it to the king. The region
of Song-tsen-Gampo was a key
period in the history of the "Land
of Snow", as Buddhism was first
introduced to Tibet at that time.
The king ordered Galeno to
remain as court physician and to
teach medicine to the children of
the lower castes. Galeno was the
first to be given the title 'Tso-cheyMenpa' (Healer physician),
together with many rewards.
A vast exchange of medical
knowledge also took place
between Tibetan and foreign
scholars during the region of King
Trisong-Dhue-tsen (755-797 A.D.).
He invited physicians from India,
Persia, Nepal, Kashmir and other
neighbouring countries including
'China. They were awarded the
title ’Lha-jc" (Divine physician)
and their work compiled into a
volume called "La-chepotimugbo'. It is claimed by some
scholars that the standard text of
Tibetan medicine, Gyushi-lhe Four

The Tibetan system of medicine is
an ancient treasure-trove of
knowledge handed through an
unbroken lineage of physicians
down the ages. Richly integrated
ivith the experiences of
neighbouring cultures, it has
arrived at its own methods of
diagnosis and treatment directed
more at the patient as a person
rather than at the disease. In
describing this tradition,
Dr. Namgyal K. Qusar also
highlights its spread in India in
recent history with its research
efforts geared to understand
maladies based on today's life
conditions.

Tantras' was translated by the
great Tibetan translator Beru
Tsana (Vairocana) during this
period. The true authorship of the
Gyushi, however, is still
controversial. According to the
traditional Tibetan Buddhist view,
it was originally revealed by
Sakyamuni Buddha through two
emanations projected from a state
of deep meditation. It was then
passed down through Jivaka,
Nagarjuna, Ashvagosha and many
other Buddhist physician-saints to
Candranandana, who is supposed
to have given the written version
of the Gyushi to Vairocana.
The elder Yuthok Yoten Gompo
(708-833) is also said to have
received the teaching of the
Gyushi from Vairocana on one of
his three journeys to India.
Another great translator,
Rinchen Sangpo (958-1055) was
sent to India with a Kashmiri
Pandit, Janardana. He translated
Astangahrdaya Samhita and
Salihotra into Tibetan. With the
spread of Buddhism, Tibetan
medicine was introduced to
Western Tibet as far as Ladakl I
Kinnaur, Lahoul & Spiti.
However, at present, in Ladakh,
the system of Tibetan medicine is
known as Amchi. Amchi is the
'Tibetan Medical Institute,
Khana Danda Road, Dharamasala,
Distt. Kangra, Himachal Pradesh.

Moving Technology

adaptation of the Mongolian work
'amchi' meaning physician which
is still used in Mongolia today.
Since good relations existed
between Tibet and Mogolia since
the 13th century A.D., the term
was borrowed from Mongolian
and subsequently used by the
Tibetans. I believe the 'Lhaje'
(meaning Divine physician)
system of medicine is more
appropriate since 'Lhaji' is the
more common title in Ladakh. A
family which practices Tibetan
medicine takes 'Lhajepa' or
sometimes 'Menlha' as its family
name whereas Amchi is very
rarely used.
It is believed by most scholars
that the younger Yuthok (11261202) compiled the present version
^'f the Gyushi. As one goes
(through the 156 chapters of this
version, one comes across sections
on diet and behaviour, herbs,
minerals, cauterization, pulse and
urine diagnosis which are unique
to the Tibetan tradition. Besides
these, the younger Yuthok wrote
many commentaries and
introduced other important
techniques of treatment. Yuthok's
works were revised and commen­
ted on by Zangdak Namgyal
Daksang and Zurkhar Nyamnyi
Dorjee (both in the 14th century)
from whom the two main schools
of Tibetan medicine, Jang-lug and
Zur-lug, take their name and
teachings. There were also other
schools of thought like Drangti,
XSongmenpa, etc.
( In the 17th century, Ngawang
Lobsang Gyatso-the fifth Dalai
Lama (1617-1687), patronised the
establishment of three medical
colleges. They are So-rig-do-phenling College, Dang song Dipal
Ling college and a Tsarong family
school at Lhawang chok. Through
his encouragement and funding
many texts were translated from
Sanskrit into Tibetan. Due to
substantial funding, precious pills
could be produced for the first
time. Desi Sangye Gyatso (16531705), the regent of the fifth Dalai
Lama founded Chagpori Medical
College. The most powerful politi­
cian of his time, Desi was also a
highly learned Tibetan scholar and
lune I WO

a qualified physician. Besides
many other works on Tibetan
medicine and astrology, he wrote
the most important commentary
on the Gyushi known as Vaidurya
Ngon-po, the blue Aquamarine.
At the instigation of his
Holiness, the Dalai Lama, Lhasa
Medical Institute was established
in 1916 with Jampa Thubwang, the
perso-nal physician to the Dalai
Lama as Chief Medical Officer and
Khenrap Morbu as principal of the
College.
The Philosophy
Everything in the Universe,
whether on the macrocosmic or
microcosmic level, according to
the Buddhist view, has the same
material basis. It means that
everything is composed of five
cosmic energies known as earth,
water, fire, air and space. The
concepts of etiology, embryology,
anatomy, physiology and
pharmacology are all established
on the basis of this theory.
The basic cause of all suffering
is rooted deep in ignorance-in
lacking the understanding of how
things realy exist. Ignorance gives
rise to the three mental poisonsattachment, hatred, obscuration.
The three poisons then give rise to
Loong, Tripa and Badkhen which
came to be known as Nyepa-sum
or Tridosha. The Nyepas are
considered to be inherently
contaminated by impure factors, a
basis which attracts afflictions. On
occasions it maintains a state of
equilibrium when factors like diet,
life-style, seasons and spirits
remain inactive. However, when
disturbed by any of these,
humours become the very nature
of disease rather than their cause.

Diagnosis & Treatment
In Tibetan medicine, diagnosis
can be made by inspection,
palpation and interrogation.
Inspection includes all visual
examination like urine, analysis,
tongue diagnosis, observing the
patient's physical appearance,
complexion, sputum, faeces, etc.
Observation and examination of
the veins of the outer ears are also
carried out in small children.

Palpation is primarily concerned
with taking the pulse.
Interrogation includes taking the
patients's history, inquiring about
the cause and nature of the disease
and ascertain any other rclevanl
information. Diagnosis and
treatment is much more directed
at the patient as a person rather
than at the disease. Therefore, tin
clinical approach differs according
to the three basic personality tyfx-s
arising out of the mental poisons
of hatred, attachment and
obscuration. Dietary, behavioural.
medicinal and accessory therapies
are applied, depending upon the
severity of clinical problems.
Dietary and behavioural therapy
can also be adopted as a
preventive by healthy persons in
the initial stage of illness when
outward signs and symptoms are
not yet manifest. With
deterioration or at an acute or
chronic stage of the disease,
medicine and accessory therapies
are employed.
The major raw materials used
in Tibetan medicine are plants,
animal extracts, metals, minerals,
salts, ordinary, semi-precious and
precious stones. All these are
evaluated for then flavours,
potencies, post-digestive tastes
and their secondary qualities
which determine their efficacy in
the body.

The Present Position of Tibetan
Medicine
Like other systems of
traditional medicine, Tibetan
medicine has stood the test of
time. Since its primary goal is to
serve the sick and needy, the
Tibetan Medical & Astro. Institute
(TMAI) fulfills these objectives by
providing medical facilities to all
without discrimination. This
system has claimed many
wonders in treating chronic
illnesses like hepatitis, multiple
sclerosis, asthma, diabetes,
rheumatism, dermatitis, allergies
stress-related diseases like
hypertension and even cancer.
Tibetan doctors today are invitee
for talks and consultations all over
the world.
When his Holiness, the

fourteenth Dalai Lama, took
refuge in India in 1959, people
throughout the world became
more aware of Tibet. His Holiness
first re-established various seats
for the study of religion, culture
and medicine. To preserve the
medical tradition, a small
dispensary, a clinic, a hospital and
a medical school were established
in Dharamsala (H.P.) in 1961. It
started with a cluster of wooden
huts that served the refugee
community. As the fame of
Tibetan doctors spread to
neighbouring towns and villages,
many Indians came to seek
medical help.
The Institute now encompasses
an academic research centre, a
medical as well as astrological
school, a pharmacy and a small
pharmaceutical plant. It also has a
separate despatch section for
mailing Tibetan medicine
throughout India and to many
other parts of the world. More
than 200 different medicines arc
prepared in a traditional way from
herbs, minerals, metals, precious
and semi-precious stones and
animal extracts. Except for the

$

2

I
£
Fa

senior most medical workers, the
doctors are graduates of the
Tibetan Medical & Astro. College
with more than 70 medical
studentshaving graduated since
1961. Most of them arc now
employed at the peripheral clinics
whereas a few run private clinics.
The training course is for five
years with an additional year for
internship. Opportunities for
studying Tibetan medicine have
also been provided for students
from Ladakh, Kinnaur, Lahoul &
Spiti and Nepal as communities in
these regions have depended
primarily on the village Lhaje or
amchi, whose knowledge and
skills are passed down through
generations within the family.
Practising in isolation from one
another over long periods of time,
many amchis have neglected or
forgotten certain aspets of the
Tibetan medical tradition.
Therefore, the opportunities
provided have enabled an
enrichment of this knowledge for
the establishment of medical
schools in their own respective
regions.
The Tibetan Medical & Astro.

Institute has engaged in research
on Tibetan medical literature,
having translated several
important medical texts with
particular reference to current
medical problems. Currently
clinical research is being
undertaken on hypertension after
a descriptive study of this malady
in the Tibetan community of
Dharamsala in 1988. Future plans
include research activities that
encompass clinical studies on
hepatitis, asthma, diabetes, cancer
and AIDs. The Institute also hopes
to collaborate with Western and
Indian laboratories for a
biochemical analysis of Tibetan
medicines. The availability of
important medical plants in the
Himalayan region is also being
currently assessed through field
research.
Clearly, a balance is being
sought in Tibetan medicine that
aims not only to preserve its
ancient treasures handed down
through an unbroken lineage of
physicians but also to adopt to
modern-day maladies which arise
from the stresses of today's life
traditions.

ANNOUNCEMENT
The Council for Advancement of People's
Action and Rural Technology (CAPART),
has undertaken a project for the
compilation of a National Directory on
Rural Technologies in 10 volumes as a
part of its endeavour to collect and
disseminate information on technologies
relevant to rural areas.
This National Directory aims at presenting
a comprehensive documentation of
systematic and authentic information on
rural technologies. Farm and Post Harvest
Equipment and Soil and Water
Management have been published and
have found a wide readership.

The third volume of the Directory of Rural

Kara

Technologies on Drinking Water
Technologies is now available. This
contains information on pumps, wells,
filtration, techniques, purification and
storage of water.
DRT-III is available against an advance
payment of Rs. 150/- or US $30 payable
by demand draft, drawn in favour of
CAPART, New Delhi.

The order should be sent to :
Documentation and Information Officer
CAPART
Guru Nanak Foundation Building
New Mehrauli Road
New Delhi - 1 it) 067.

0

1 SJ DOEGULING RESETTLEMENT

• MAIN SETTLEMENT (9 VILLAGES)
• TWO LAMA CAMPS (2 MONASTERIES)
DREPUNG - LOSELING, GAMANG
GADEN MONASTERY
• NUNNERY, HOME FOR THE AGED
• CENTRAL SCHOOLS -FOR TIBETANS (TWO)
- FOR MONKS
• POPULATION - 15,000 (8000 MONKS)
• REPRESENTATIVE’S OFFICE

22J HEIRARCHY

• KAMBO - ABBOT (LIKE V.C.)
• GESHE- PROFESSOR (40-50)
• CHEMULAI CHANTING MASTER
DISCIPLINE IN CHARGE
ADMINISTRATORS (8)
• ELECTED EVERY MONTH
3 _l DAILY ROUTINE OF MONKS

• 5-7 AM
CHANTING & BREAKFAST
• 7-11 AM STUDIES/MEMORIZING
• 11 - 2 PM LUNCH/STUDY/REST
• 2-5 PM INFORMAL CLASSES
• 5PM DINNER
• 5-7PM EVENINGWALK & PERSONAL
• 7-9 PM EVENING PRAYERS
• 9-12PM
DEBATE
4

_) HEALTH FACILITIES
• DREPUNG TIBETAN RESETTLEMENT HOSPITAL (DTR)
• FOUR DISPENSARIES
• TRADITIONAL TIBETAN MEDICINE CLINICS - TWO

• VISITING DOCTORS
• REFERRAL

5

21

INCOME GENERATING
• DANCE TROUPES
• TWO DAIRIES
• NOODLES FACTORY
• AGRICULTURE - MAIZE, PADDY
• TAILORING SHOP, INCENSE STICKS
• OFFSET PRINTING PRESS
• POOR STUDENTS/VOLUNTEERS

&

_J MONK HOSTELS
• 25 HOSTELS OF VARIOUS SIZES
• CATERS TO DIFFERENT GROUPS FROM DIFFERENT REGIONS OF TIBET
AND STATES OF INDIA
• EACH HOSTEL HAS 150-250 MONKS
• 2-3/ROOM SLIGHTLY OVERCROWDED
• 1-2 TOILETS /BATHS
• REASONABLY CLEAN
• GARBAGE DISPOSAL POOR
• LIBRARY FACILITIES

7

MEDICAL PROBLEMS
• TYPHOID
• DIABETES
• HYPERTENSION & STROKE
• HEPATITIS A & B (JAUNDICE)
• TUBERCULOSIS
• DIARRHOEA / DYSENTRY
• ASTHMA / BRONCHITIS
• PSYCHOLOGICAL

8

z] PUBLIC HEALTH PROBLEMS

• NO SEWAGE SYSTEM
• INADEQUATE WATER SUPPLY
• OPEN DRAINS RECENTLY BUILT
CLOGGED WITPI SEWAGE & WASTE
• HI- CONSUMPTION OF FAT & SALT
• POOR FOOD HYGIENE
• OVER CROWDING

9

_J

LOSELING DISPENSARY
• 4 HEALTH ASSISTANTS
GIMBA (EX ARMY)
LHODOE, LA WANG TRG.(SJMC,INSA)
SHARAP (NEW)
• WELL STOCKED DRUGS IV/IM/ORAL
• 6-15 PATIENTS DAILY
• Dr.TABIB ONCE A WEEK
• NO OXYGEN AND NEBULIZER
• SYMPTOMATIC TREATMENT

10

KITCHEN
• COMMUNITY KITCHEN FOR 2500
• OLD & NEW
• FOOD HANDLERS POOR HYGIENE
• FOOD DISTRIBUTED TO HOSTELS
• SEEMS LOW CALORIC (ALLOWED TO EAT OUT)
• KITCHEN DUTY BY ROSTER
• KITCHEN/STORE RELATIVELY CLEAN

u

SEPC ANALYSIS
• NOMADS - NOW MONKS/TRADERS
• LIBERAL DONORS SO EXTRAVAGANT SPENDING
• EXPLOITED IN HUBLI CITY
• PPs EXPLOIT
• HIGH HBV INDICATES ?
• SIMPLE LIVING OF MONKS
• MONKS ALLOWED OUTSIDE OVERNIGHT

Priority Projects

l-

Mundgod as the venue, where the
Representatives of RTYC and
RTWA were included in promot­
ing the message. He also expressed
the need for all concerned to be on
guard, though at present as far his
knowledge goes, this settlement do
not have a single HIV/AIDS case.
Dr. Vishwanath, the Medical Of­
ficer of the DTR Hospital, thanked
the dignitaries for gracing the oc­
casion.
After completing their intro­
ductory formalities, tlic participants
were questioned by Dr. Sahni on
their “opinion about health prob­
lems”, and laid down the topics for
die main session for the benefit of
all.
The second day was devoted
to lecture sessions with films on
AIDS, followed by group discus­
sions and assignments, to identify
HIV/AIDS risk groups. At the end
they identified:

rehabilitation schemes, the report
added.
Our Training Project Officer,
Mr. Naik adds:
"We thank Ms Norzom, the
then President of the Tibetan
The suggested action plan/remcdy Women’s Association and the TYC
Centrex for their support to the
included:
Workshop."
1. Avoid sex with multi partners
The overall coordinator also
2. Avoid sex with commercial sex
thanks the SCF(UK, New Delhi) for
workers
3. Use condoms as safety measures financing the workshop and appre­
ciates the hard work put in by the
during sexual intercourse
4. Use only sterilized needles and ISHA faculty towards making this
joint venture a success.
syringes for injections
5. In case of blood transfusion insist
Priority Projects to which we seek
on HIV free (tested) blood
6.Carry out health education your help
through:
HE Department Of Health looks
Verbal Education, films, Post­
after the health of over ItXi.OtX)
ers, Pamphlets, Drama and Songs, I i betans through 62 Primary Health
Free distribution of condoms.
Care Centers and 8 referral hospi­
During the session, it was tals in the Tibetan Settlements in In­
pointed out that though networking dia and Nepal. We also have 35
could be carried out in case any HIV/ branches of the Tibetan Medical and
Astro. Institute, treating the sick by
the traditional system of Tibetan
medicine.
To meet our objectives we
have set various priority projects.
However, since the available bud­
get to implement them is very lim­
ited, we are forced to rely on mon­
etary assistance of individuals and
donor agencies. Following are some
of our current priorities to which we
seek help:

5.
6.
7.
8.
9.

Hospital staffs and dentists
People with multi sex partners
Intravenous drug abusers
Alcoholics/Drivers
Young HIV infected mothers

T

TB Control Program
B prevalence is high in our refu
gee community. Already a large
number of our people have fallen
prey to this menace. In spite of the
assistance given by the US Govt,
SCF/UK and others, we continue to
face a lot of problem due to high
percentage of TB patients mainly
from poor homes requiring Re­
served Regimen (RR) care to be pro­
vided by our health care centers. We
charge a percentage of the total treat­
ment cost from patients who can
afford the amount and for the poor

T

Let's find out the HIV/AIDS risk grou
confering with each other, Mundgod.

Military Personnel
Aids cases surfaces in our society by
Business groups who go out ofreferring them to the right institu­
the settlement
tion, rehabilitation within the settle­
3.
Secondary and College level stu­ment or its hospital would be highly
dents
improbable given the huge cost in­
4.
People who go to the barbersfor volved unless the Central Govern­
a shave
ment decides to intervene with some

1.
2.

Tibetan Health Newsletter 1995-96 Issue

1/ltA - ■>-.

FOCUS
SA VE THE CHILDREN FEND, U.K. - 75TH B1RTHDA Y.
A visit to Macedonia after the Balkan wars In 1913 first exposed
Eglantyne Jebb, a young Oxford graduate, to the grim realities of such conflicts.
Even though fighting had slopped, tens of thousands of peasants had become
starving refugees. Acutely aware of their plight, Eglantyne returned to England
determined to do something to alleviatte their suffering.
It was the commitment to achieve lasting benefits for children, the worst
victims of any crisis, that drove this pioneering woman from Shropshire to found
the Save the Children Fund (UK) 75yearsagoandto draft the Declaration ofRights
of the Child, the forerunner of the UN Convention.

Eglantyne Jebb was born in 1876 in Ellesmere, Shropshire in a large happy
family, where there were governesses to teach the children, ponies to ride andplenty
of space to run around in. And there was no need for Eglantine to worry about
working for a living. It didn't take her long, however, to see that there was.more
Eglantyne Jebb - the founder
to life than her comfy surroundings. Eglantine went to Oxford University - a rare
thing for a woman to do in those days. She taught in a school for a while and
ravelled in Europe. She spent time researching poverty in Cambridge.
In 1915, her sister Dorothy Buxton, concerned that the realities of life in wartime Europe were not being reported
by the British press, began to publish extracts front foreign newspapers in the Cambridge Journal. By 1919 the real extent
ofthe suffering caused by the war and the allied blockade became apparent; children in Austria were, quite simply, starving.

Dorothy and Eglantyne set up the 'Flight the Famine Council’ to demand an end to the blockade now that the World
War I was over. On 19 May 1919, the first official appeal for the Save the Children Fund was held at the Royal Albert Hall.
Thisyear, on 19 May, the Sa vethe Children Fund (UK) celebrates its 75th birthday. The organization that shefounded
with her sister Dorothy and a small group of others is now active in more than 50 countries around the world, including
India. Staff and volunteers share a commitment to certain basic children's rights and a desire to secure real lasting
benefits for children’s around the. world.

SCFhas assisted us with the TB control programme since 1985 and now this programme covers eight areas with a
total population of about 58,000.
On the 75th Birthday of SCF we remember you with gratitude for your assistance to the Tibetan people, and wish
the organization much success in their worthy service and dedication to the children ofthe world. - Department of Health.

FOCUS: TIBETAN COMMUNITY HEALTH SURVEILLANCE PROJECT
Launched to reorient the existing system offocussing health clinics for generating necessary information rather
than the community, the Health Data Team, overcoming obstacles, is now reported to be “functioning well“, says
the Project Director, Dr. Shusham Bhatia'. An excerptfrom her report.

BACKGROUND
TheHealth Data Collection Project
of the Department of Health, Cen­
tral Tibetan Administration,
Dharamsala, was initiated in June
1992, with the aim of collecting
reliable health information from the
widely scattered Tibetan settlements

in India. In die first few months of die
Project period, on-site examination
of die healdi information maintained
at die various clinics in die Tibetan
settlements in the states of Karnataka
and Himachal Pradesh and in die
Doon Valley, was conducted by Dr.
S. Bhatia, die Project Director. The
data at these clinics was compiled

and brought to Dharamsala for furtiier examination and analysis. The
information from die hospital at
Mundgod (Karnataka) was aug­
mented witii a small community sur­
vey to obtain data on mortality and
causes of deatiis, and on prenatal
care and pregnancy outcomes of
mothers.
Tibtelan Health Magazine 1994 Summer Issue

4

FOCUS
When die data from these clinies was analyzed in Dharamsala, it
was found to be of variable accu­
racy. There was wide variation in
die quality of information main­
tained at die individual clinics. The
health data obtained from die hospi­
tal in Mundgod was judged to be
more acceptable than diose collected
from die odier. settlement clinics/
hospitals.
The information from die five
settlement clinics/hospitals in
Karnataka was analyzed and a re­
port titled ‘The Socio-Demographic
and Health Profile of Tibetan Refu­
gees in Soutii India’ was prepared.
This analyses revealed several sur­
prising findings like, low birtii and
deadi rates, and, a diseases pattern
similar to societies in epidemiologi­
cal transition. These findings could
well be true, but tiien special expla­
nations need to be evolved. More­
over, since die healtli data is clinic
based, itonly pertains to people who
visited die clinics. No information
exists for those who did not seek
clinic services.
The analysis, however was
very useful for the Department of
Health, since it demonstrated the
shortcomings of maintaining health
statistics which do not accurately
reflect tlie status of die people in die
refugee settlements. Given tiiat die
Tibetan refugee settlements are lo­
cated in very different, and climati­
cally diverse, geographic areas
witliin India, the external environ­
ment is bound to influence the health
sta tusofthe communities. Acorrect
assessmentof the differential health
status of Tibetans living in different
regions in India, can only be made
through accurate, community-based
information.
The Department of Healtli,
therefore, widi financial assistance
from AIDAB, launched die Project
to gather reliable, community based
healtli, and demographic data from

die settlements.

PROJECT PLANS

The project planned to set up a
system for collecting information, as
a routine activity, along widi die pro­
vision of healdi services at die level of
die community. This“inbuilt surveil­
lance” will allow, widi periodic analy­
sis of tiiese data, die ascertainment
and recording of birtiis, deatiis and
movements in die community, die
assessmentof major healdi conditions
affecting die communities, and, die
impact of providing heal th services to
mitigate these conditions,.
In order to implement die above
Demographic and Healdi Surveil­
lance” die present system of generat­
ing health information from die clin­
ics would have to be reoriented in a
manner whereby die community, and
not die clinic, becomes die focus of
healdi data collection.
The implementation of the above
strategy would require:
1 .The establishment of, and de­
velopment of a Health Information
team at die Department of Health in
Dharamsala. The team would need to
be:
*fully conversant with die re­
vised system of data collection;
*able to follow-up and super­
vise die activities in various settle­
ments;
*able to check and verify die
information arriving from the settie­
ments;
*able to feed the information
into the computer;
*able to conduct periodic analy­
sis of die data; and be
*able to provide logistical and
administrative support to Area Healdi
Coordinators.

2. Tie training of die Area Healdi
Coordinators in die settlements in
order to enable them to:

* train CHWs in tiieir respec­
tive settlements in collecting demo­
graphic and ehaltii information;
* supervise, assist and guide
tlie CHWs in tiieir revised roles;
* provide logistical and back­
up help to the CHWs; and enable
diem to
* become familiar widi the
mediods of compiling tlie collected
demographic and healtli informa­
tion and sending it to die Depart­
ment of Health, Dharamsala, at
specified intervals.
3. The redefination of the role
of the CHWs, to facilitate the pro­
vision, by the CHWs, of the com­
munity based on services through
regular home-visiting, and train
CHWs in collection of population
based demographic and health in­
formation.
This is vital since over die
years, die role of die CHWs has
changed from one working at the
level of die community to that of
assisting in the settlement clinics
and hospitals. The CHWs, virtu­
ally, spend no time in the
communites. It is perveived that
with the revised system of data
collection, the CHWs will play a
greater role in health activities at the
level of the community. The re­
vised role of die CHW, which re­
quires regular montiily visits to die
families to elicitdemographic, health
and illness information, will facili­
tate her role as community health
provider.

PROJECT STATUS
1. The Health Data Team In
Dharamsala:

The development of die team
at tlie Department of Health in
Dharamsala has not been smooth
because of die chronic shortage of,
and a rapid turnover of staff at die

Tibletan Health Magazine 1994 Summer Issue

5

FOCUS
Department of Health. The position
of the Project Manager has been
mostaffected by the chronic unavail­
ability if staff. However, since
Febuary 1994, the project has in Mr.
Tsegyal a very capable and efficient
Projectmanagerr. Mr. Ngawanghas
been the project Assistant since Oc­
tober 1992, and Mr. DhondupTseing
has been working on the computer,
entering the data.
The Health Data team, in
Dharamsala, is now functioning well.
In the absence of the Director, Dr.
Passang Norbu, will provide guid­
ance to die Team, and also conduct
on-site supervision-.

2. Training of the Area Health
Co-ordinators:
The training of the Area Health
Co-ordinators, which was scheduled
for July, 1993, had to be delayed
until February 1994, mainly because
of the absence of the Project Director
who was required to spend time away
from the project due to unavoidable
commitments. However, the train­
ing of the Area Health Coordinators
has now been completed in March
1994. A total of seven Area Health
Coordinators from the settlements in
Karnataka, Doon Valley, Ladhak
and Central India, and a physician
along with one of its Community
Health Workers (CHWs) from
^Jrissa, attended the Training Work­
shop held at Dharamsala.

The Training Workshop was
conducted by the Director with the
valuableassistance from Dr. Passang
Norbu, Consultant Physician to the
Department of Health, and Mr.
Tsegyal, the Project Manager. The
input of several professinals in the
Tibetans Community was also solic­
ited. Dr Tsetan Dorjee, Dr. Stevan
Roy and Mr. Dawa Phunkyi from
Delek Hospital and Dr. Tsewang
Ngodup from the Tibetan Children's
Village (TCV), contributed as re­

6

source persons for one session, each.

Mrs. Namgyal Lhamo Taklha,
opened the Workshop and, stressed
the need for, and importance of
collecting reliable, community based
health information and its utility for
evaluation. The Kalon (Minister) for
Health, Mr. Sonam Tobgyal and
Mrs. Namgyal L. Taklha spent one
afternoon session witli the Work­
shop participants and the Depart­
ment of Health staff. They discussed
and rectified the logistical, staffing
The revised rule of the
CHW, which requires regular
monthly visits to the families to
elicit demographic, health and
illness information, will
facilitate her role as a commu­
nity health provider.

and other problems faced by the
Health Coordinators in order to fa­
cilitate the successful implementa­
tion of the project.

On die whole, die Workshop
went well. The Healdi coordinators
enthusiastically participated in de­
signing die appropriate Data Forms
and in organizing die CHWs training
and home visiting programmes.
The Data Collection Forms and
die CHWs Home Visiting Register
has been designed.
Written guidelines for com­
pleting tiiese forms have been pre­
pared.
The detailed instruction for
compiling die information, at each
settlement, have been prepared.
All these materials will assist
die Area I lealth Coordinators in their
task of training the CHWs in tiieir
respective settlements, and will also
serve as reference materials.

The formsare with the printers

and will be available in the last week
of March.
FUTURE PLANS
*The training of the CHWs
from each settlement will be com­
pleted by the respective Area Health
Coordinators in the first week of
April.
*The implementation of the
population based health data collec­
tion system will be initiated by April
15, 1994.
* During the training of die
CHWs, oh-site visits will be made by
Dr. Bhatia, Dr. Passang Norbu and
Mr. Tsegyal to die settlements, in
order to supervise and assist in die
training and in die initial implemen­
tation of the health data collection
process.
’Training of die CHWs work­
ing at die Tibetan refugee settle­
ments in Pokhara, Katiimandu, and
otiier areas in Nepal will be com­
pleted in June 1994.
* Prof. Rowley will visit(ed)
the Tibetan settlements in Karnataka,
in July 1994, to conduct an on-site
examination oftiie healdi data project.
He will also look(ed) into die most
appropriate mediods of data analysis
and recommend suitable computer
programmes for die purpose.
* It is planned to conduct train­
ing of die Area Healdi Coordinators
from tiie Tibetan settlements in
Sikkim, Arunachal Pradeshand West
Bengal, in October 1994.
* Data Analysis: By June 1994
die baseline demographic surveil­
lance data from die settlements in
Karnataka, Doon Valley, M.P,
Maharashtra and Ladakh will be
available in Dharamsala. Prelimi­
nary analysis of tiiis data will be
carried out in July - August 1994.
* The remaining data on mor­
bidity, mortality, vaccination status,
etc will start arriving by August
1994.
Tibtetan Health Magazine 1994 Summer Issue

FIELD NOTES AND ACTIV1TIES _
Visits to far fluiiR Tibetan
Settlements in \VB and Sikkim

)

In the month of April, our then
Health Secretary, Mrs. Namgyal L.
Taklha, paid a sixteen day visit to
the Tibetan settlements in the state
of West Bengal and Sikkim. This is
in continuation of our attempt to
keep in close touch with tire health
realities of these far flung areas and
to help them feel not far flung,
metaphorically, at least in sharing
their health concerns and thereby
alleviate them.
Close inspection of the Health
Centers besides importing Health
Education in various schools and
institutions was the tour’s main
agenda. Importance of including
Health Education in the school cur­
riculum was also emphasised to the
concerned authorities during the
Secretary’s tour.
There are six Tibetan settle­
ments in these states with an ap­
proximate population of some ten
thousand.

Data PO’s Visit to Southern
Tibetan Settlements
In the month of April this year,
our Data Project Officer (Assistant
Deputy Secretary) Mr. Tsegyal vis­
ited theTibetanSettlementsinsouthern India and explained “the aims
and importance ofHealth Data Col­
lection" to the concerned authorities
there. Besides explaining "how to
fill’ various data-forms, close scru­
tiny of the filled house hold cards
was also done during the tour. Over­
all the Data Project is reported to
have taken off successfully.

Foundation Completed: The
proposed hospital construction,
sposored by Italian Amici di Raoul
Follereau, at Byllakuppe was re­
ported to have reached midstage
with tire completion of its founda­

Tiblelan Health Magazine 1994 Summer Issue

tion, pillars and columns. Severe
inflation was reported to be the rea­
son behind its construction delay.
Concerned officers hope to com­
plete its roofng before the onset of
monsoon in order to ensure continu­
ation of work.

Statistical Survey - a report
The Rabgyalingsettlementhospital, Phende hospital, came in for
special mention in tire report submitBased on Hospital's
record. Phende Hospital seem to
be running very good immuniza­
tion programme for those who
utilize ih< /i'i services...Dawa
Phunkyi.

ted by our then Data Project Officer,
Mr. Dawa Phunkyi, after his recent
Statistical Survey of south India in
order to check its up-keep in south­
ern Tibetan Hospitals and PHCs.
His Colleague, our medical consult­
ant, Dr. Passang Norbu supervised
the TB control programme besides
the Health Data Collection System.
Appreciating the efforts and dif­
ficulties that our health personnel
braved, they reported that “the
Phende hospital seem to be running
very good immunization programme
for those who utilize the services.
The hospital based record indicates
BCG coverage of 100% in tire year
1992 and 1993. Likewise Measles
and other vaccinations are also very
high as compared to our other hospi­
tals in South India”.
However, only DTRH was re­
ported to be “up to date” and “fairly
good” in its statistical work. Yet
break-up demographic information i.e. total settlement population with
their age and sex were found wanting
in their case as well.
The report also notes that "the
staff of Bylakuppe center had not
received any guidance in tire past to
improve the health record keeping
system". It further notes non-real-

ization of its importance by previous
concerned officials as tire other likely
reason for its present dismal state.
However, it records encourag­
ingly (for a change) the entiiusiasm
and the eagerness shown by the
present Medical Officer and Health
Coordinator to develop a system of
quality record keeping, after “nil”
practical performance by previous
authorities to improve or build a
health record (data) keeping system.
The report further commends
the two Health Workers at Van Thiel
Hospital for their dedication while it
believes the level of record keeping
there could be improved.
DTR’s former Medical Officer
and our current medical consultant,
Dr. Passang Norbu, who was also on
the tour, adds:
All die important statistics and
reports should be cross checked by
die Medical Officer and health Co­
ordinator before submitting to DoH.
Urgent need to house Ilnd and Hird
line TB patients separately was also
felt at Phende Hospital. At Van Thiel
Hospital in Kollegal, however,
greater administrative awareness
about the importance of TB control
program, was found wanting; if their
concern about die appointment of a
third health worker is any indication.

New Health Kalon Sworn In
Mr. Tashi Wangdi was appointed as
the new Health Kalon (minister) w.e.f.
Sept. 1st. 1994, inplace of Mr. Sonam
Topgyal, who had till then shouldered
two portfolios Including Home Affairs.
Mr. Tashi Wangdi previously head the
Department of Information & Interna­
tional Relations (DIIR).

Earlier al a simple tea-reception, the
former Health Minister, while welcom­
ing his successor, expressed his
optimism that under Mr. T. Wangdi's
leadership, many more strides would be
made in health care; with the coopera­
tion of all concerned.

Mr. T. Wangdi will also represent at the
New Delhi Tibetan Bureau.
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