By Phuntsok Yangchen
DHARAMSHALA, October 22: His Eminence the 17th Gyalwang Karmapa Ogyen Trinley Dorje today attended the 43rd founding anniversary of the Tibetan Delek Hospital here. Also present at a modest gathering were Speaker of the Tibetan Parliament in exile, Tibetan Chief Justice Commissioner, Tibetan Ministers and Parliamentarians, Secretaries of various departments and foreign supporters.
Addressing at the ceremony, Karmapa said, “Personally for myself, whenever I am unwell, I call Dr. Tseten of the Delek Hospital which has been very helpful not only for Tibetans living in Dharamshala but also to Tibetans outside Dharamshala and also for local Indians.”
Thanking the hospital staff including doctors and nurses the young head of Kagyu tradition of Tibetan Buddhism urged the staff to continue treating patients with love and care.
A newly built doctor’s residential quarter was inaugurated by its sponsor Harrie Penders. Staff members who have completed 20 years of service were also awarded souvenirs by Kalon Tsering Wangchuk, Health Minister of the Tibetan government in exile.
Dawa Phunkyi, Chief Administrator of the hospital, said the founding anniversary celebration is dedicated to the Tibetan spiritual leader His Holiness the Dalai Lama as a part of Kashag’s initiative to observe the year 2014 as the “Year Of Dalai Lama”.
Last year, World Health Organisation denied Delek Hospital’s TB program the 2013 Kochon prize worth $65,000 reportedly under pressure from China. The award required approval from the Director General of WHO, Margaret Chan. But days before the award was to be presented to Dr. Tseten Sadutsang, Chinese diplomats had reportedly stormed into the offices of Stop-TB Partnership to object the decision.
However, Delek hospital received greater financial support from people around the world following the incident, according to Dawa Phunkyi.
Delek hospital was founded in 1971 with just two rooms, five staff members and a visiting Doctor. Today Delek Hospital, with a separate TB program, provides healthcare for thousands of Tibetans and local Indians.
