As per saying goes in Tibetan, “Once you are born in this cycle of birth and rebirth, no one escapes from Ke-ga-na-chi (སྐྱེས་རྒ་ན་འཆི་) birth-old age-sickness-death.” These four elements are unavoidable in life; we will eventually have to deal with them. When it comes to illness, medical exigencies are unprecedented and can be financially strenuous.

The Tibetan Medicare System (TMS) was created with the intention of easing the financial strain caused by significant medical costs that arise throughout life. A nonprofit initiative that promotes the general health and welfare of the Tibetan exile community.

On December 6, 2022, Ms. Pema Youdon, Program Officer of TMS, Department of Health, CTA, held zone-wise virtual meetings to discuss raising awareness of TMS. The meeting lasted from 9.30 am till 4 pm spending almost an hour each with all the settlement officers including chief representatives of Ladakh, Bangalore and Shimla. The TMS officer explained the aim of the meeting by outlining the purpose and importance of Tibetan Medical System. She underlined the importance of incorporating as many uninsured Tibetans as possible in TMS through settlement officers’ efforts.

The TMS enrollment for the next FY 2023-2024 will begin on the auspicious day of 10th December,  the Nobel Peace Prize Day to His Holiness the Dalai Lama.