Project

Project Title: Establishment of a Model Tibetan Medical University

Project Goal: To set up a Model Tibetan Medical University amenable to the modern trend of having its own hospital and research wing – the only way to preserve and promote Sowa Rigpa, Traditional Tibetan Knowledge of Healing.

Project Location: The project will be implemented in the Tibetan Settlement of “Chauntra”, Palampur district, Himachal Pradesh. It is located at a distance of about 3 hours drive from Dharamsala. The location is ideal for students and a good atmosphere for the patients. Tibetan schools and monasteries are also nearby.

Project Background:

As society in general changes its ideals and ways of thinking along with the passing of time, it is obvious that it has witnessed a large-scale material development. In light of that, excessive use of chemical products has degenerated the ecosystem polluting water and air, which has resulted in unprecedented health risks.

The healthy survival of all living beings is in great danger. Acknowledging the grave situation, many people from all over the world have taken a keen interest in saving the environment through various initiatives but the problem still persists. Over the past few decades, despite tremendous advancement in the field of modern medicine, it’s technology and pharmaceutical industry, many people from different countries have started taking greater interest in natural herbal medicines, which are safe and free from side effects. In particular, not only has the general public started using Tibetan medicine as an alternative treatment, but students, researchers and many others have developed a passion to learn and research the field, thus widening its scope and opportunities for development.

In the service of mankind and especially Tibetans, Men-Tsee-Khang (MTK) has put a great deal of effort into the preservation and promotion of Sowa Rigpa, yet there is still considerable potential for improvement. Continuously striving to meet the ever-growing demands of a diverse world population is the wishes of His Holiness the XIV Dalai Lama, who has instructed MTK to investigate all the possibilities so that Tibetan medicine could be of benefit to human beings. His Holiness is greatly in favour of the collaboration between Tibetan medical personnel and modern scientific medical practitioners and researchers, to ensure that Sowa Rigpa keeps up with recent scientific developments. He further advised that the methods of learning and practice of Tibetan medicine should also be developed based on scientific means in tune with changing time yet without losing the very identity of it. Many practitioners and experts have also echoed their voices in need to keep pace with changing time for the development of Tibetan medicine. However, various impediments have mired conducting exhaustive research and adopting concrete steps to follow the path of progressive development.

It is the sole responsibility and objective of all the practitioners of Sowa Rigpa to fulfill the wishes of His Holiness the Dalai Lama for the development and promotion of this science of healing. The only means to accomplish this noble task is through instilling higher standard of knowledge in Tibetan medicine, reviving parts of degrading practices which will fade away if not revived, striving for the fine blend of both theory and practice in the program of study, facilitating the scientific clinical research trial and to formulate new medicines. All these could only be achieved by setting up of Model Tibetan Medical University that would enable us to prevail over the obstacles in promoting Tibetan knowledge of healing.

As it is imperative to have concrete project plan and standard of imparting knowledge of education in Tibetan medicine for a Model Tibetan Medical University, it is a dire necessity to have all the basic amenities to inculcate modern techniques and methods of teaching without loosing the basic principles of Tibetan medicine. Under the guidance of the High Level Committee of Tibetan Medicine and Astrology the Literary Research Department takes responsibility in reviewing the past medical college syllabus and also to make every effort in selecting the very best from Tibetan Medical Colleges both inside and outside Tibet and undertake comparative studies. Our past experience and modern trends have necessitated the Research section to modify and structure a very best of the program of study equivalent to the modern techniques and basic requirements.

Up till now, due to lack of infrastructure and hospital facilities our Medical College students were able to be imparted with only theoretical aspect of knowledge during the college years and only for one-year that they were sent to the outflank clinics for practical internship. Hence, they are not receiving enough practical internship opportunities for which both doctors and patients are experiencing hard time. His Holiness the Dalai Lama had also expressed concerns over it. It is therefore instituting a Model Tibetan Medical University having both hospital facilities and academic study program for our students could only solve the future problems. This kind of infrastructure would facilitate our doctors to have practical training on proper diagnosis and treatment. The trained doctors will have required knowledge and practical experience when they are send to various clinics for practical purposes. It would be also a great institute for those youngsters who haven’t had such opportunity in the past to train themselves in line with the proposed Model Tibetan Medical University to come and experience the facilities. Above all, this institute will be ideal for conducting research through scientific means and that would help to bestow universal recognition of the Tibetan knowledge of healing.

Above-mentioned criterion were the basic requirement for a Model Tibetan Medical University and this project is envisaged keeping in view of the global trend and the vision as chartered in the policies of the Tibetan knowledge of healing and the Central Council of Tibetan Medicine. Besides, we are planning to incorporate a strategy to improve Tibetan medical knowledge and the establishment of Tibetan Medical University in the health policy of the department of Health, Central Tibetan Administration (CTA). Initiating a project based on these conceptions we hope to fulfill the following objectives:

1. To fulfill the wishes and the guidance of His Holiness the Dalai Lama
2. To nurture professional doctors qualified both in theory and practice of Sowa Rigpa
3. To have universal recognition of graduate doctors with respect to their professional standards
4. To establish a learning center for the improvement of professional standards of young practitioners
5. To promulgate methods of diagnosis and treatment congenial to the treatise of Sowa Rigpa
6. To provide an opportunity to conduct clinical research on acclaimed conventional standard
7. To enliven five accessory therapeutic techniques the practice of which have been impeded by the time or are at the verge of outmoded
8. To work towards the development and promotion of Tibetan medicine and to acquire universal accreditation or recognition
9. To enhance our services in social healthcare and augment benefits to the ailing mankind
10. To be in conformity with the strategic healthcare policy of the exile Tibetan government
11. To strive for practical implementation of all the proposals of the Central Council of Tibetan Medicine
12. To provide employment opportunity for school graduates
13. To establish a learning center for higher studies in Tibetan medicine regardless of nationalities – Tibetans, Indian Himalayan people and Westerners

Project Activities: (Please see details in Annexure 1)

• 1st Phase: Required Land Acquisition
• 2nd Phase: Building Constructions
• 3rd Phase: Arrangement of the hospital technology
• 4th Phase: Recruiting Faculty Members and Management
• 5th Phase: College Admission Process

Project Implementing Agency:

a) The project will be managed and implemented by the Administration of Men-Tsee-Khang. The land acquisition & building committee would take full responsibility of the basic model of the project and seek approval of the Administration on plan proposals before actual implementation.

b) The technical aspects of construction of the project will have to be guided and managed by the special committee. The changes if required in the project shall have to be approved by the administration committee.

c) In case of any deviation or discrepancies in the basic model of the project in implementation, the above committees shall be answerable.

d) In case of any deviation or discrepancies in the technical aspects of the constructions in the project, the special committee shall be answerable.

Project Output:

The Tibetan Medical University intents to recruit 30 students in one year spanning over the period of six years to complete their study. Therefore, after six years, 30 students will graduate from this University every year. Since Tibetan medicine works well on various chronic and severe diseases, the administration is very optimistic on the clinical research trial to be conducted in the hospital with the proposal of nearly 40 beds dedicated for the clinical research patients will meet very satisfying end. This will step up the MTK in par to the modern scientific research in documenting and bringing out research papers, which will help enormously for the younger generation to understand and study thoroughly on the efficacy of Tibetan medicine on various diseases.

Also equally important aspect of the Multi-specialty hospital are the services that the hospital will provide in the other departments and the patients’ wards. The hospital will have OPD of internal diseases, External diseases, Dressing and dermatitis, ENT, accessory therapies, gynaecology, and paediatric. It will have around 140 beds in the patients’ wards of the aforementioned departments. Special arrangement to provide accessory therapies along side medications such as Moxabustion, cuping, golden hamnmer, sucktion, venesection, compression, medicinal bath and massage are also considered vital for the overall treatment of patients.

1. Number of students to be trained
   a) Generally 150-170 students. Every year 30-35 students will be graduated and their seats shall be filled up by the new session.
   b) For astro. Class, 25-30 students after every five years.
   
   
2. Research on diseases
   Clinical research to be conducted on diseases considered incurable yet showing positive response through Tibetan Medicine. For example, high blood pressure, diabetes mellitus, Hep-B positive, cancer, arthritis etc.
   
   
3. Number of patients to be treated
   Total of 300-350 patients will be treated daily from the various departments.
   
   
4. Nature of diseases to be treated
   Generally all kinds of diseases are to be treated has been classified under different clinical departments. Tibetan Medicine has a potential to cure chronic diseases that are attributed to indigestion, epilepsy, arthritis, diabetes, asthma, high blood pressure. Quite a number of acute chronic diseases have been cured and there has been a considerable relief from pain and agony to the patients from incurable diseases.
   

Project Beneficiary:

1. Immediate beneficiary
   · The project would enable to produce many able doctors and also help the practitioners to lead their professional life without any gap.
   
   ·Offer opportunity to study Tibetan Medicine to all those interested.
   
   ·Offer employment opportunity to many youngsters.
   
   ·Provide an opportunity and environment for young graduates to improve their professional standard.
   ·Bring Tibetan Medicine and its treatment facilities accessible to Tibetans, Indians and foreigners alike.
   
2. Long run beneficiary
   · To produce increased panel of standard Tibetan Medical practitioners and create an environment to develop practice and knowledge of Tibetan Medicine.
   · Provide for an environment to conduct research on incurable diseases by incorporating scientific methods of research.
   · Provide a forum for joint collaboration to exchange knowledge and experiences of research works with other traditional medical systems.
   · Facilitate preservation and promotion of diagnostic therapeutic techniques in its uniqueness in accordance with Tibetan Medical Treatise.
   · Create an environment and a platform to fulfill the aims and objectives of the Central Council of Tibetan Medicine as enshrined in its policy.
   · Provide a centre of learning Tibetan Medicine to people of Indian Himalayan regions and foreigners.
   · Make Tibetan Medical System sustain long in India its gradual development and promulgation in countries abroad.

Background information on the MTK

The MTK, Tibetan Medical & Astro Institute of His Holiness the Dalai Lama, is a cultural, educational and charitable institution that functions under the guidance and support of the Central Tibetan Administration (CTA) and His Holiness the Dalai Lama. Reestablished in 1961 as the Tibetan Medical Institute, the institute’s primary objective was to preserve, practice and propagate the ancient system of Tibetan medicine.

Today, the Medical and Astro College prepares new doctors to work in the MTK’s numerous clinics in India and Nepal. Each year the clinics provide more and more health care to thousands of Tibetans, Indians and foreign patients regardless of caste, colour or creed. Free or concession health care is given to the poor and needy, monks and nuns and to all new arrivals from the Tibet for the period of 6 months. Even though the cost to produce traditional Tibetan medicine is quite high, the cost to patients is kept very low to assure its accessibility to all patients who seek the holistic system of Tibetan healing science.

MTK conducted researches on diabetes mellitus, blood pressure, rheumatism, Hep-B+ and ovarian cancer in collaboration with scientific researchers both within India and abroad. The joint venture research work on mercury is currently underway in collaboration with an Israeli scientific analyst. In the past MTK has done joint research work on medicinal plants with the Department of Pharmacognosy, University of Vienna, Austria. The work of quality control of Tibetan medicine is also bearing good results. Based on the outcome of all these researches, MTK is optimistic for further research works and human resource development.

MTK derives some income from the products it produces. However, it depends greatly on the generosity of individuals and Tibet support groups for most of its operating costs and to carry out its charitable programs.

The main facilities located in Dharamsala include administrative and research offices, the medical and astrological college, hospitals, pharmaceutical department, library, museum and housing facilities for the staff and students. In addition to the main facility there are around 47 branch clinics through out India and Nepal, MTK Exports located in New Delhi and Cultural Centre at Leh, Ladakh.

MTK is a charitable, cultural and educational institution of His Holiness the Dalai Lama, registered under the Societies Registration Act of 1860 (No. 1290/79). It has exemption u.s. 80G of the Income tax Act 1961 (No.CIT/SML/2003-04/2286-18/7/03).

It is registered u.s. 12-A (a) of the Indian Income Tax Act 1961 (No. Judl/Reg. Cr/81-82/15-T/35667/2/3). Its permanent Account Number for Income Tax is AAATM1890L. Its income tax number is 010213, Palampur (30/03/91).

Project Budget Estimate
(Preliminary Budget Estimation)

Project Budget Estimate

i. Annual staff salary and wages, DA, annual budget.
ii. Human resources development annual budget.
iii. Research budget.

Income Estimates

i. Each student shall pay as annual fee a sum of Rs……………
ii. Each patient is charged as consultation and registration fee a sum of Rs………
iii. Apart from poor and needy patients, others would be charged Rs. 6/- each as medication for one day.
iv. Patients undergo accessory therapies would be charged uniformly a sum of Rs………

Expense Estimates

i. Human resources development expenses annually Rs…………. and for 10 years Rs…………
ii. Free medical treatment expenses annually Rs……… and for 10 years Rs.
iii. Concessional medical treatment annually Rs……… and for 10 years Rs.
iv. Research expenditures Rs.


Proposed building Constructions Cost:
(Preliminary Round-up Project Cost Estimation)

Total Estimated Preliminary Building Construction Cost Rs. 287,009,671

Contact Person responsible for the Project:

The Director
Men-Tsee-Khang
Khara danda Road
Gangchen Kyishong
Distt. Kangra, Dharamsala - 176215
H.P. INDIA
email: dir@men-tsee-khang.org