Khyentse Foundation held a free medical camp from 5 to 10 August at Dzongsar Institute in Chauntra, India. Many people from villages near the Institute can’t afford proper health care; 685 patients, both Indian and Tibetan, took advantage of the free consultations and high-quality medicines. As word spread, the number of patients attending increased every day. The elderly were accompanied by their families, students came straight from school, and monks showed up after their classes. It was a different kind of atmosphere at the Institute.
“Judging by the number of patients who have come here, it has been very successful. Also, the patients are getting better, that’s why many of them have come back for a follow-up,” said Dr. Abhishek Sharma, the doctor in charge of the camp.
The onset of the monsoon has caused diseases like typhoid to spread rapidly. Several monks visited complaining of skin allergies, and Tibetan school children suffering from gastritis confessed with embarrassment to eating too much junk food.
Recipients of the care expressed their gratitude to the organizers. “In the past, some corporate hospitals had medical camps in this area, but they weren’t genuine. They gave us medicines for just two days and tried to draw patients to their hospital. I’m happy that in this camp, I got sufficient medicines to treat my illness,” said Gayatri Devi.
“The doctor was kind and patient when attending to me, that made me feel comfortable. I hope Khyentse Foundation India organizes a medical camp every year,” said Prasad Ram, a local farmer.
[intlink id=”5134″ type=”post” target=”_blank”]View a slideshow of the KF Medical Camp[/intlink]