Over 200 Lamas benefit from TB health check-ups at monastery

Member of Parliament Indu Goswamy and Dharamsala MLA Sudhir Sharma visited the Gyuto Karmapa Monastery in Sidhbari to support the nationwide TB eradication initiative. Expressing concern over the 15,000 annual TB cases in Himachal Pradesh, MP Goswamy stressed the need for increased awareness, especially in rural areas, through regular camps and education drives.

The Dharamsala MLA echoed the sentiment, reaffirming his support for a “TB Mukt Bharat.” A special ‘Nikshay Shivir’ was organised under the TB Mukt Abhiyan by Tibetan Delek Hospital in collaboration with Dharamsala’s Zonal Hospital.

Monastery in-charge Guru Khsala shared his personal journey of recovering from TB in childhood, reassuring attendees that TB is fully curable with timely treatment.

The camp, led by District Health Officer Dr Rajesh Sood and his medical team, provided health check-ups for over 200 lamas. Also present were Dr Niket from WHO, Nagrota Bagwan BMO Dr Ruby and ASHA workers, who played a key role in community outreach.

The event was supported by the Indian National Trust for Art and Cultural Heritage (INTACH) and attended by community leaders including Sanjay Sharma, Chakshu and LN Aggarwal.