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Problem:
Despite of healthcare efforts being made, most of the rural Tibetans still face
enormous challenges due to lack of accessibility, and lack of affordability of
basic healthcare. Common health problems in the area where TVP works include tuberculosis,
epilepsy, arthritis, chronic respiratory infection, rickets, malnutrition, diarrhea,
and other gastro-intestinal problems. In addition, many villagers sustain injuries
while working on farms or while taking care of animals that require immediate
medical attention. For example, patients sometimes suffer from an infected wound
or from a broken leg or arm that paralyzes that person if the broken piece is
not properly positioned and treated.
 | TVP
health education in session | There
are four distinct levels of health care facilities available in Tibet: the municipal
level, the county level, the township level, and the village level. The quality
and accessibility of healthcare at the village level, where about 80% of Tibetans
still live, is much poorer than at the municipal level. For example, the municipal
level hospitals have CAT Scans whereas many of the village level clinics do not
even have a single patient bed. The structure of healthcare in Tibet is currently
changing to a community medical system (CMS). In this new system, patients sign
up at their community health center and pay a small annual fee plus a co-payment
with each visit. This fee basically pays the salary of healthcare workers and
buys medical supplies. Unfortunately, most of the rural villages are too poor
to build their own clinics and enroll in CMS. In spite of the problems with the
CMS system, there are a number of reasons why we have decided to operate the clinic
within this system:
CMS
is backed by the government. The
villages who are enrolled in CMS receive medical treatment regardless of how many
times they see a doctor. The
government will provide medical supplies (beyond what we provide) for free or
at a substantial discount as long as refills are reasonably based on the number
of patients the clinic treats. Patients
who have serious health needs beyond the clinic's capability, such as health problems
that require surgery, can be referred to better-equipped hospitals at the county
or municipal level.
Our
effort: As of 2006, TVP has assisted in the building of one clinic and
secured two clinic spaces from the local government as a way of leveraging the
funding and collaborating effectively. In addition, TVP sponsor a mobile clinic
program that travels to areas that do not have doctors in residence. Through medical
treatment and prevention education, our clinics benefit over 3,000 patients annually.
TVP supports the clinics by providing medical supplies, equipment, stipends, and
frequent training opportunities for healthcare workers. TVP needs your help to
continue our medical program so please consider donating
today or to view photos.
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