CEC Dr. Jaffer Akhoon inaugurates two-day Sowa Rigpa workshop for public health in Kargil.

CEC Dr. Jaffer Akhoon inaugurates two-day Sowa Rigpa workshop for public health in Kargil.
Kargil, October 14, 2024: Chairman/CEC, LAHDC, Kargil, Dr. Mohd Jaffer Akhoon today attended the inaugural session of two-day workshop on Sowa Rigpa for public health in Ladakh in collaboration with Zanskar and Kargil Amchi Association under Tribal Health Care and Research Programme at Conference, Hall Baroo.
The inaugural session of the workshop was also attended by Executive Councilor for Zanskar Affairs, Er. Phunchok Tashi; Director National Institute of Sowa-Rigpa (NISR), Dr. Padma Gurmet as well as local Amchis from Kargil, Zanskar and Leh.
On the occasion, CEC Kargil congratulated Director NISR, Dr. Padma Gurmet for conducting the workshop on Sowa Rigpa in Kargil. He said the workshop will help to exchange knowledge and experiences of Amichs with each other and will enable them to gain more knowledge in this field.
The CEC directed Dr. Padma Gurmet to provide translated versions of books related to the field in other languages like Urdu and English so that students and interested persons can also learn about the importance of traditional medicines and its values. He also said that the cash course of at least six months should be provided to the students to learn booti language after getting the admission in the institute.
Dr. Jaffer Akhoon also proposed that a branch of the Sowa-Rigpa Institute be established in Kargil, so that local students can also take benefit from this profession. He added that this initiative would help generate employment opportunities and play a crucial role in reviewing and preserving this ancient practice of public service.
The CEC Kargil emphasized the need to increase the remuneration of Amchis, stating that the current compensation is insufficient given the scope of their services, especially in rural areas of Ladakh. He highlighted the pivotal role Amchis play in delivering healthcare to marginalized communities.
The CEC emphasized that the Amchi profession should not be identified with any particular religion, as its practice in Ladakh has deep traditional roots, transcending cultural and religious identities. He urged the diversification of the profession by encouraging the inclusion of students from various religious and cultural identities.
EC Er. Phunchok Tashi highlighted the important issues to strengthen Amchis medical practice in Ladakh which mainly includes appointment and engagement of Amchi Doctors and para-medical staff at each medical aid centers of each block of Leh and Kargil.
He also called for an increase in the stipend for traditional Amchi healers. Additionally, EC Tashi mentioned the establishment of Health and Wellness Centers com 50-bed Amchi Sowa Rigpa hospitals, in both Leh and Kargil.
Director, National Institute of Sowa-Rigpa (NISR) Dr. Padma Gurmet thanked CEC Kargil for attending the inaugural session of the two-day workshop. He highlighted the importance and benefits of Sowa Rigpa medical practice and its broad future prospects at national and international level.
The workshop will cover broad themes, including the overall status of Sowa-Rigpa, the role of Kargil Amchi Association for prevention and promotion of Sowa-Rigpa, treatment of CNS diseases, preventive measures for heart diseases, importance of uncommon pulse diagnostic techniques in Sowa-Rigpa, and other related topics.