The Ladakh Buddhist Association, women wing, launched ‘Healthy Ladakh Movement’ on 18th November at Sheynam Community Hall. It was attended by a large number of officials and the general public. 

The movement aims at improving public health in the region. Another aim is to visit every nook and corner to cover the entire region, spreading health awareness to educate the people about drug abuse, the menace of alcohol, cigarettes and cancer. 

Dr Dawa, Chief Executive Councillor, said that in the last 20 years Ladakh had become economically rich but in terms of values and morality, it deteriorated. He appealed to the people to preserve the rich culture and values of Ladakh. 

DC Prassana Ramaswamy G stressed upon the women fraternity to come forward and realise their power.

Dr Nordon Otzer, ENT Surgeon spoke on cervical cancer, tobacco and alcohol. He said that like in other parts of world, cancer cases were growing in Ladakh too. He informed that the most common type of cancer in women were cervical and breast cancer; and the most common cancer in male was that of oral cavity, lungs, oesophagus and stomach. Ladakh has also the same percentage of cancer cases as compared to the other parts of the world. Unfortunately, 70 % of such patients are unable to reach hospital on time because they are not aware of the symptoms.

Dr Nordon said, “Under women’s health plan, we would be educating women about the importance of timely screening for cervical cancer and will be teaching the method of self- examination of breast for breast cancer. Under the plan on the menace of alcohol consumption on society, we will be spreading awareness about the impact of excessive consumption of alcohol on society as a whole and different method of keeping a check on illegal use of alcohol. Under the tobacco control programe, we are planning to make every village as tobacco-free village and eventually declare Ladakh a tobacco-free region”.

Apart from that, they said they were also planning to cover the area of Sham, Changthang and central Leh region before May 8, 2016 (Women’s Day). Within two years, they are planning to declare Ladakh as cervical and breast cancer-free region.

Tsewang Thinles, LBA President, said that that under this movement, the owners of licensed bars and wine shops operating in Ladakh region would be requested to give up their profession in the interest of the society. 

SSP Dr Sunil Gupta, Inspector Tsewang Dorje and Physician Specialist, Dr. Tashi Thinles, also spoke on the menace of alcohol and how it affected our society, be it an individual or a family. The doctors also informed the gathering that most of the accidents and crimes occurred due to alcohol consumption. 

Various religious organization heads including LBA President, Tsewang Thinles; LBA Youth President, Rinchen Namgyal; Anjuman Moin-Ul-Islam President, Sheikh Saif-Ud-Din and Anjuman Imamiya President, Ashraf Ali Barcha also spoke on the occasion. All the speakers spoke about the how alcohol is affecting the society and how all should unite and work together to curb this issue. They appreciated the LBA women's initiative to make society healthy.