BODHI SEEDS: SEEDS OF ENLIGHTENMENT
  • News
  • Vision
  • Programs
  • Generosity
  • Contact
  • News
  • Vision
  • Programs
  • Generosity
  • Contact
Search
Picture

Visit to rumtek yields results

7/31/2016

 
Picture

May, 2016 Susan and I went back to Rumtek after six years. We needed to reconnect and see how things were being managed at the clinic.
The vibe was definitely different. First of all, it was the time of the Vajrakalya Puja, 10 days of intense, I mean intense practice from morning into the wee hours of the morning. The great advantage for us was that all the major parties with authority to accomplish activities in Rumtek were present:  Khenpo Nyima Kelsong, Umdze Lhodro, Umdze Bai Karma, Amji Drubju, Karma Dolma, Doctor Deeraj, Sister, General Secretary Karma Chungyalpa. 

We met and found common ground. The clinic needed an administrator who oversaw daily activities, made sure hours were being kept, inventories maintained, medicines efficiently and economically purchased, equipment maintained, medical refuse disposed of appropriately, staff well trained.

For six years I had been thinking about how to begin a training program for monks interested in health care. Spontaneously, in meeting with the Labrang, we all landed on the same idea. There would be three monks, two from the shedra and one from the monastery who would be trained to be community health workers and administrators of the clinic. Kelsang Nyamgal, a recent grad of a medical training program, and intimately knowledgeable about the workings of Rumtek, would be our trainer for six months. He would meet each week to train the monks in administration, first aid, outreach and CPR. 
We'll be in touch to let you know how things are progressing.

We also wanted to check in on the cases of tuberculosis we had reported on last year. New cases are still being diagnosed. The clinic needs support in managing the cases. It's very difficult to make sure all patients receive their medications, including inoculations of antibiotics. Close contacts all have to be tested, records of all these interactions carefully maintained to prevent spread of the disease. Our presence gave great hope to the young patients who were losing hope as their opportunities to advance in school were held up until their treatment progressed. 

​

Picture
Don Ross, Susan Kirchoff and the Dolkar Sisters
It's easy to build a clinic. It's infinitely harder to see that it's running well and serves the needs of the community.  That takes dedicated people on the ground, and dedicated people all over the world to support its goal-making health care accessible to Rumtek. 

The earlier post below details what is needed. Please consider a monthly donation to keep things going. 

Comments are closed.

    ARCHIVES

    July 2017
    December 2016
    October 2016
    July 2016
    April 2016
    September 2015
    August 2015
    July 2015
    June 2015
    May 2015
    October 2014
    September 2013
    May 2013
    November 2012
    December 2011
    November 2011
    June 2011
    May 2011
    November 2010
    September 2010
    April 2010
    March 2010
    September 2009

    CATEGORIES

    All
    Children
    Dispensary
    Dzogchen Ponlop Rinpoche
    Elderly
    Emergency
    Esl
    Fundraising
    Grants
    Health Care
    Karma Shri Nalanda Institute
    Monastics
    Raynier Institute & Foundation
    Rumtek Medical Clinic
    Rumtek Monastery
    Sikkim
    Students
    Surgery
    Urgent

    RSS Feed

Powered by Create your own unique website with customizable templates.
  • News
  • Vision
  • Programs
  • Generosity
  • Contact