Dharamshala: The Department of Health, Central Tibetan Administration inaugurated a three-day workshop on “Awareness and Enrolment Planning of Tibetan Medicare System” to the directors and staff of various Tibetan Health Centers across India at the Administrative Training and Welfare Society on Monday.
The annual workshop is being attended by 44 directors and staff from 33 Tibetan settlements in India.
Chief Guest at the inaugural ceremony was Dr. Lobsang Sangay, President of Central Tibetan Administration. Also in attendance were Kalon Choekyong Wangchuk, Department of Health, Palden Dhondup Secretary, Jampa Phuntsok, Additional Secretary and Tsering Youdon, Joint-Secretary.
The Tibetan Medicare System is a social health insurance programme of the Department of Health, seeking to improve public health and well-being of the Tibetan community in-exile through access to quality secondary and tertiary healthcare.
The President Dr Sangay, in his key remarks, congratulated the Health department and participants at the increased overall enrolment in TMS this year (27496 enrolment) and particularly thanked the medical officers and health staff of the Tibetan settlements who have been incremental to the success.
He explained the evolution of the Tibetan Medicare System since it was first discussed in the Tibetan parliament in 2007 and how it came about to its present status.
“Taking into consideration the importance of Tibetan public health, there was much deliberation and discussion for a comprehensive and equitable health care coverage for the public since 2007. Therefore, the Kashag formally launched the Tibetan Medicare System in 2012 to provide holistic healthcare coverage for the public based on a sustainable finance source,” he said.
44 directors and staff from 33 Tibetan settlements in India attending the three-day workshop organised by the Department of Health, CTA. Photo/Tenzin Phende/CTA
Health Kalon Choekyong Wangchuk stressed the importance of the services that community health workers provide to Tibetan societies and acknowledged their contribution.
He spoke about the Health department’s innovative projects on the Tibetan Medicare System, highlighting this year’s successful feat in TMS overall awareness and enrolment status.
He added, “The three-day workshop on ‘Awareness and Enrolment Planning of Tibetan Medicare System’ will give you an understanding of what measures should be taken to have TMS awareness and enrolment campaign program more effective and efficient in future from every settlement level.”
With that, he urged the directors and staff of various Tibetan Health Centers in India to learn about various opportunities in enabling access to affordable quality medicines in order to achieve the overall goal of health for all.
Nyima Gyaltsen, Head officer of Tibetan Medicare System (TMS) gave a brief introduction on the evolution of Tibetan Medicare System, in which he highlighted the rise in TMS enrolment and acknowledged the guidance and leadership of Kashag in supporting the project.
According to the Health Information System (HIS), from 2012 to today, Tibetan settlements across India have received 10390 medicare services; 1086 TMS members have received 96 Lakh medical support (from 1 April – 10 September 2019) and TMS has gained the overall enrolment of 27496 in 2019.
As part of the felicitations ceremony, the President presented awards to nine Tibetan settlements namely Mundgod, Kollegal, Dekyiling, Dharamshala, Ladakh, Tenzingang, Meerut, Paonta and Dalhousie Tibetan settlements for achieving highest enrolment in TMS 2018 – 2019. Kalon Choekyong Wangchuk also recognised Bylakuppe Tibetan settlement for their efforts in the TMS campaign.
Secretary Palden Dhondup gave the vote of thanks.
A short clip titled ‘TMS Our Community, Our Health Care’ was screened afterwards. The workshop will conclude on 18 September 2019.
The Resource persons of the three-day workshop are Alok Gupta and Vikas Dagur.
-Filed by Kunsang Yelphel
Kalon Choekyong Wangchuk speaking at the annual workshop on “Awareness and Enrolment Planning of Tibetan Medicare System” to the directors and staff of various Tibetan Health Centers across India at the Administrative Training and Welfare Society on 16 September 2019. Photo/Tenzin Phende/CTA
44 directors and staff from 33 Tibetan settlements in India attending the three-day workshop organised by the Department of Health, CTA. Photo/Tenzin Phende/CTA
A short clip on the TMS campaign titled ‘TMS Our Community, Our Health Care’ screened at the inaugural ceremony. Photo/Tenzin Phende/CTA
The President felicitates nine Tibetan settlements namely Mundgod, Kollegal, Dickyiling, Dharamshala, Ladakh, Tenzingang, Meerut, Paonta and Dalhousie Tibetan settlements for achieving highest enrolment in TMS 2018 – 2019. Photo/Tenzin Phende/CTA
The President felicitates nine Tibetan settlements namely Mundgod, Kollegal, Dickyiling, Dharamshala, Ladakh, Tenzingang, Meerut, Paonta and Dalhousie Tibetan settlements for achieving highest enrolment in TMS 2018 – 2019. Photo/Tenzin Phende/CTA
Participants with the President Dr Sangay, Health Kalon, Secretary, resource persons Alok Gupta and Vikas Dagur. Photo/Tenzin Phende/CTA