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HEALTH PROGRAMS

In Kham, few people have access to medical care, and the quality of the care is low. The hospitals of many county capitals offer little more than maternity and family planning care, first aid for wounds, and prescription medicines.  To compound the problems, lack of education means that many have a poor understanding of nutrition and hygiene. 

To better meet the health care needs of the people of Kham, we have four major programs:

Wheelchairs to Tibet Kham Aid Foundation is operating a  major program to serve a neglected invisible community: the disabled.  Since 2000, we've given away more than 1,090 wheelchairs. In addition, our volunteer experts trained local officials and health care workers in how to fit chairs to the needs of individual disabled people.

Help for Clinics and Hospital  In August, 2001, we ran a long-distance bike ride across Kham to raise funds and awareness of the needs of Tibetan clinics.  Since then, then program has expanded to serve the health needs of thousands of Tibetans.

Midwife Training for Village Women The year 2001 also saw the start of a new program to train rural women in midwife and home health care skills.  Ten women of Yajiang County enrolled in the five-week course, which was offered at no cost to the trainees. In 2002 we trained twenty more women, from Baiyu and Litang counties.

Better Homes We're improving doctors' living quarters, so that postings in rural areas will be more attractive to qualified professionals.

Also of interest: 

The public/private health care dilemma & an appeal from the nomads of Ashu