Central Council of Tibetan Medicine Marks 6th Founding Anniversary

Tuesday, January 05, 2010

Tibet.net
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The Central Council of Tibetan Medicine marks 6th founding anniversary at Men-Tsee-Khang, Dharamsala, India, on 5 January 2009 (Photo:Sagey Kyap/TibetNet)

Dharamshala: The Central Council of Tibetan Medicine, the apex body of all the traditional Tibetan medicine practitioners in exile today completed six years of successful preservation and promotion of the rich tradition of Sowa-Rigpa or Tibetan medical system.

The council was established on 5 January 2004 at Dharamsala under the “Exile Tibetan Doctor's Association Act – 2003”, which was passed by the 13th Assembly of the Tibetan People’s Deputies in 2003, with the final approval by His Holiness the Dalai Lama.

Addressing the function at Men-Tsee Khang to commemorate the occasion, Health Kalon Chope Paljor Tsering described the efforts of the medical council as a “great step” towards the preservation and promotion of Tibetan medical system.

The health kalon attributed the revival of the Tibetan medical system in exile to His Holiness the Dalai Lama, whose long-term vision and guidance salvaged the unique system from extinction during early years of exile in 1960s.

In comparison to allopathic system, he said the Tibetan medicine is very effective in healing not physical ailments but also in tackling negative emotions without any side effects.

Emphasising the very important role of the medical council, the health kalon underlined the need to "ensure sustenance of good medical practice and standardisation of Tibetan medicine in conformity with the traditional medical system".

Health Kalon Chope Paljor Tsering addresses the 6th founding anniversary of the Central Council of Tibetan Medicine (Photo: Sagey Kyap/TibetNet)

As the Tibetan medicine gets reputation and faith from people around the world, “special care and attention must be taken to maintain the standard of Tibetan pharmacology and medical practitioners”, he added.

In his opening address, General Secretary Dr. Thokmey Paljor highlighted various initiatives and projects of the council to get formal recognition of the Tibetan medical system from the Government of India, and for the promotion and preservation of Tibetan medicine.

The council has been organising various workshops and conferences towards improving the theoretical understanding and practical knowledge of Tibetan medicine practitioners, he said.

He also spoke on various initiatives on working together with the traditional Tibetan physicians in the Himalayan region and help them in their development projects on Tibetan medicine.

It also conducts regular medical camp in different parts of India, and the particularly the one held in Mandi Dabwali, Haryana won the faith of the local people in the Tibetan medicine, he said.

The council will be organising the '2nd National Conference-cum-Workshop on Tibetan Medicine' at Men-Tsee-Khang in Dharamsala from 15-17th March this year.

The council's governing body consists of four physicians from Men-Tsee-Khang, four private physicians, including one reserved seat for the physician of Bon medical tradition and one allopathic physician appointed by the Department of Health, Central Tibetan Administration.

A total 370 Tibetan medical practitioners has been registered under the Central Council of Tibetan Medicine till date.