Health Department Organises Training cum Workshop on TMS Awareness and Enrolment Planning 2017-18

A group photo of the participants with chief guest Kalon Ngodup Tsering, Health Kalon Choekyong Wangchuk, Secretary Tsegyal Chukya Dranyi and resource persons at the Tibetan Reception Centre, 21 November 2016.
A group photo of the participants with chief guest Kalon Ngodup Tsering, Health Kalon Choekyong Wangchuk, Secretary Tsegyal Chukya Dranyi and resource persons at the Tibetan Reception Centre, 21 November 2016.

The Department of Health, CTA is organising a three-day training cum workshop on Tibetan Medicare System Awareness and Enrolment Planning 2017-18 at the Tibetan Reception Centre from 21st – 23rd November 2016.

A total of 41 members including Tibetan settlement health officers and TMS dealing staff from 37 Tibetan settlements are taking part in the three-day training cum workshop.

Chief guest of the inaugural ceremony, officiating Sikyong, Kalon Ngodup Tsering, Department of Education welcomed the increased enrolment in the Tibetan Medicare System from thousands to 20,000 this year, as a remarkable achievement in the effectiveness of the Medicare plan.

In his remarks, the Education Kalon said, “One of the most remarkable aspects of the Tibetan Medicare System is that it’s essentially a non-profit, community based health plan designed to serve the healthcare needs of the entire Tibetan exile community in India. The Tibetan Medicare System is most holistic in terms of its financial viability and the guiding principles, which ensures a sustainable financing source for the most vulnerable section of the Tibetan community as well as those in need of urgent medical attention, based on a joint Public-Private contribution,” he said.

He encouraged the health officers and dealing staff to implement a range of social and environmental interventions in settings such as schools, clinics, workplaces, in order to promote health awareness in the respective communities and enable the people to increase control over their health.

Addressing over 40 Tibetan health officers and TMS dealing staff, Health Kalon Choekyong Wangchuk said, “The following three days are the most crucial period to discuss and review the current TMS progress and most importantly, to finalise revamped guidelines for TMS enrolment planning for 2017-18. The new guidelines and policies will set the impetus for improved awareness and enrolment in the Tibetan Medicare System in coming years and subsequently, create a more self reliant TMS.”

The Health Kalon urged health officers and TMS dealing staff to promptly implement the policy and guideline reforms in their respective communities without fail.

The inaugural ceremony was marked by presentation of Tibetan Medicare System Outreach Award to the select Tibetan settlements with highest percentage of enrolment in TMS. The objective of the TMS outreach award initiative is to encourage more Tibetans to enroll in the Tibetan Medicare System (TMS).

The agenda for the training cum workshop include: Communication Strategy for TMS, TMS – Management of Information System (MIS), Achievements and Analysis of the TMS, Enrolment Target Setting among many others. The resource persons are Dr Aloke Gupa, Health Insurance Expert, Mr Vikas Dagur and Ms Chandni Malik, Communication Consultant TTF.

Secretary Tsegyal Chukya Dranyi, Department of Health proposed the vote of thanks.

The Tibetan Medicare System (TMS) is a non-profit secondary and tertiary health care coverage provided by the health department for all Tibetans living in exile. It is aimed to abet financial security to the Tibetan public during medical emergencies. According to TMS, a family of five members has to pay an annual contribution of INR 3565 and an extra INR 713 per year for each additional member to avail benefits of upto 1 Lac Rupees. This include cost of hospitalisation, medicines, etc. Individuals have to pay INR 950 to avail benefits of up to 50,000 at selected hospitals.

For details on how to enroll and how to avail the benefits, click here.