The Department of Health organized an event to launch Tibetan Health System Assessment final report, submitted to Department of Health, prepared on behalf of The Tibet Fund by Mr Vikas Dagur, Mr Aloke Gupta, and Mr Asok Jha on 8th August 2016.

The program was attended by Mr Jonathan Addleton, Mission Director of USAID accompanied by Mr Xerses Sidhwa, Director of Health Services, USAID and Mr Arvind Kumar, Agreement Officer Representative (AOR).

Sikyong Dr Lobsang Sangay, Health Kalon Mr Choekyong Wangchuk, Secretaries and Additional Secretaries from all Departments and Health Department staff were present at the launch event.

United States Agency for International Development (USAID) awarded a Certificate of Appreciation to the Tibetan Medicare System (TMS) team of the Department of Health, Central Tibetan Administration for its effective and efficient management of funds and implementation of TMS project.

The certificate was presented by Mr Jonathan Addleton, Mission Director of USAID to India at a ceremony held today at Nyatri hall, Gangchen Kyishong to launch the assessment report of the Tibetan Health System Capacity Strengthening Project.

In his remarks, Mr Addleton said that this certificate is recognition of the quality health service being provided by the health department, and reaffirmed USAID’s deep commitment to helping the Tibetan community improve their education, economic as well as their health status.

He lauded the Tibetan Medicare system, a community based health insurance scheme, initiated by the department to serve the health care needs of the public by creating a more sustainable financing source. “Tibetans certainly deserve the healthcare they need at the right time without struggling to pay medical bills that they cannot afford,” he said, referring to TMS.

Sikyong Dr Lobsang Sangay, in his address, thanked the USAID for their continued assistance and expressed that the certificate of appreciation would further inspire the staff to work harder.

“This Certificate of Appreciation is a reaffirmation of the fact that the staff of the Central Tibetan

Administration particularly the health department has been doing good work,”he said.

“This is a first such letter of appreciation that the Central Tibetan Administration has received from a foreign organisation. Moreover, to receive it from a person of stature like Ambassador Jonathan Addleton means so much to the CTA as a whole and particularly to the health department,” he added.

Health Kalon Mr Choekyong Wangchuk delivered a brief introduction of the health department and its various projects. He emphasised the importance of preventive healthcare initiatives to enhance the overall Tibetan public health.

USAID is a US governmental aid organistaion that works to end extreme global poverty and enable resilient, democratic societies to realise their potential. It is also one of the primary donors of CTA’s health and education projects.