The Kalon for the Department of Health of the Central Tibetan Administration, Choekyong Wangchuk, who is on a week-long visit to Japan, on Wednesday visited Saitama Medical University International Medical Centre. The hospital is specialized in the treatment of diseases such as “cancer”, “heart disease”, and “life-saving emergency including stroke”
Health Kalon Choekyong Wangchuk was welcomed by Mr Maruki, the Chairman, and senior officials of Saitama Medical University International Medical Centre. The Health Kalon was accompanied by Mr Lungtok, the representative of His Holiness the Dalai Lama and Dr Nishikura Tsewang, a senior Tibetan doctor based in Japan.
Kalon Choekyong Wangchuk had a meeting with the director and senior officials of Saitama Medical University International Medical Centre. Speaking at the meeting, Mr Maruki expressed his happiness to receive the Health Kalon as the Saitama Medical University shared over 50 years of relationship with the Tibetan people. Since 1965, it has recruited and provided education to 20 Tibetans who became doctors and nurses and serving at the medical centres in Japan.
Mr Maruki said Saitama Medical University feels greatly honoured that His Holiness the Dalai Lama has visited thrice since the university was established. He expressed hope that observing the university’s highly advanced medical equipment and technology would help the Tibetan community in improving the health care facilities. Kalon Choekyong Wangchuk was taken on a guided tour of the different sections and facilities of the hospital.
In his address, Health Kalon expressed his gratitude to Saitama Saitama Medical University on behalf Sikyong Dr Lobsang Sangay and the Central Tibetan Administration for its long standing support in terms of proving education in medical fields to Tibetan doctors and nurses.
He said Tibetans who have received education, training and experiences in medical fields in Japan like Dr Nishikura Tsewang, who have been making a significant contribution to the society, is a matter of pride for the Tibetan community. Given Saitama Medical University’s special relationship with Tibet, the news of my visit here will rekindle memory about this relationship among the Tibetan community.
The Health Kalon said tuberculosis and hepatitis have been the major health problems faced by the Tibetan community in exile, adding that the health department is taking measures and advice from medical professionals to tackle these problems.
He said Tibetan doctors and nurses are working in 7 hospitals and 32 clinics in around 46 settlements in India and Nepal. But due to lack of facilities for them to get further studies after graduation in exile, many opt to leave their profession in the settlements or go abroad for further studies after completing their 3 years contract with the Central Tibetan Administration.
“The CTA is making every effort to have these Tibetan medical professionals to continue to serve the Tibetan community in exile. Therefore, it would be very helpful if Tibetan doctors and nurses get the opportunity to study in Saitama Medical University and then return with greater expertise to serve the Tibetan settlements in India and Nepal,” Kalon Choekyong Wangchuk said.
Tomorrow, Health Kalon will visit the Japanese Parliament House and meet with executive members of the All Party Japanese Parliamentary Support Group for Tibet.
On July 6, he will attend a prayer service organised by the Liaison Office of His Holiness the Dalai Lama to release 1 lakh fish into river for the long life of His Holiness.
On 7 July, he will grace the 83rd birthday of His Holiness the Dalai Lama in Tokyo. On the same day, he will give a public talk to the Tibetan community and Japanese.
The visit of Health Kalon is being organised by the Liaison Office of His Holiness the Dalai Lama for Japan and East Asia.