By Kalsang Rinchen
Dharamsala, March 20 – The CHOICE HIV AIDS Initiative, an NGO based in Dharamsala, has completed what it called the first comprehensive Workshop, training, caring and networking on HIV/AIDs in Mundgod Tibetan settlement, which is feared to have the largest number of people infected by the virus. The nine-day program was arranged and coordinated by Dhondup Palden, Representative of department of home in Mungod.
CHOICE trainer Phuntsok Chomphel and resource person Lobsang Yeshi were also accompanied by Norbu Damdul, an AIDS patient under the care of CHOICE during the workshops and trainings that covered 9 camps, 3 schools, 2 major monasteries and 1 nunnery in the settlement.
During their stay in the settlement, they trained nurses of the Tibetan hospitals from Hunsur, Kollegal, Bylakuppe and Mundgod to use HIV testing INSTI kit that produces result in 60 seconds.
They also interacted with PLHA (People Living with HIV AIDS) and their families and created a network of PLHAs in Mundgod after successful inception of a similar group in Bylakupee earlier last year. The network of PLHAs are supported and coordinated by local hospitals run by the exile Tibetan government’s department of health. At present CHOICE has about 50 HIV+ patients under its care and network. During this trip, some new cases of HIV+ were also found.
Phuntsok Chomphel of CHOICE says what his organization is doing is very less compared to the rate at which the disease is spreading in the exile Tibetan community. “We are doing what is in our reach, providing stipends, medical care and helping them find sponsors for medical expenses etc, but the true solution is precaution and awareness which we are trying to create through such workshops,” adds Chomphel.
CHOICE has recently launched a project called “Adopt an HIV family” in collaboration with phayul.com which basically will connect HIV+ patients and their families with funders who can support the families financially. “We have found out that majority of the PLHA families are poor, and neglected. We are encouraging people to bring them into our society without any prejudice. Only then can this menace be tackled,” says Lobsang Yeshi who is also a board member of CHOICE.
Doeguling Tibetan Resettlement Hospital’s administrator Penpa Labrang and nurse Dhondup Tsomo also gave several workshops and trainings for the people of Mundgod.
“We are grateful to the office of His Holiness the Dalai Lama and the department of health, especially health minister Chope Paljor Tsering for his personal interest in HIV related matters, for their support,” says Chomphel.
CHOICE is holding a fund raising event later tonight in New York city to fund its operations in India. “I urge fellow Tibetans in New York to help us help those who need help by attending the event. It is for a good cause,” says Chomphel.
