A group of 12 Tulane medical students has been hosted by Lha at Ahimsa House for 10 days from June 10 to June 24 as part of our Cultural Exchange Programme. The group led by Dr. Rebekah Anne Byrne was here to gain an understanding of the medical status of Tibetan refugees and familiarise with Tibetan medical system. The group visited Gaden Choeling Nunnery, Shugseb Nunnery, and Nyingma Monastery in Bir to provide eye and dental care. During their time, 182 nuns and monks have screened among whom 149 people needed a dental referral and 69 needed optometry referral.

115 people were recommended further medical follow-ups. 15 people who needed emergency eye care were recommended to local hospitals and 5 people for a dental emergency. 5 Children have been taken to hospital for testing Tuberculosis. Since the majority of people screened are from a poor financial background and needed financial aid to go for further treatment, Tulane medical students group are raising fund to provide treatment for these patients. 
Besides the screenings and raising fund to meet further treatment, the Tulane medical group also donated supplies to Delek hospital and blood pressure machines to nunneries and monasteries they visited.
The group also had an interactive session with 10 final year students from Men-Tsee-Khang – the Tibetan Medical and Astrological Institute based in Dharamshala and discussed different approaches to health and wellness in Tibetan medical system.
To explore more about Tibetans in exile, its culture, and religion, the group visited Men-Tsee-Khang, Delek Hospital, His Holiness the Dalai Lama’s temple and Tibetan museum.
Lha is privileged to have been able to host the medical students from Tulane University and is humbly grateful for their contribution to the Tibetan community.

                                                                                                                                                                                                Read {hits}643{/hits} times