A two-day workshop on Sowa Rigpa for public health in Ladakh, organized in collaboration with the Zanskar and Kargil Amchi Association under the Tribal Health Care and Research Programme, commenced on October 14 at the conference hall in Baroo, Kargil.

The workshop will cover a range of topics including the overall status of Sowa Rigpa, the role of the Kargil Amchi Association in the prevention and promotion of Sowa Rigpa, the treatment of CNS diseases, preventive measures for heart diseases, and the importance of uncommon pulse diagnostic techniques in Sowa Rigpa.

Chairman/CEC, LAHDC Kargil, Dr. Mohd Jaffer Akhoon, congratulated Dr. Padma Gurmet, Director of the National Institute of Sowa-Rigpa (NISR), for organizing the event. He emphasized the workshop’s potential for knowledge sharing among Amchis and the importance of expanding their expertise in traditional medicine.

Dr. Akhoon urged Dr. Gurmet to provide translated versions of books related to Sowa Rigpa in languages like Urdu and English to broaden accessibility for students and interested individuals. He also suggested offering a six-month intensive course on the "Booti" language to students enrolling in the institute, facilitating their learning of traditional medicinal practices.

Proposing a new initiative, Dr. Akhoon called for establishing a branch of the Sowa Rigpa Institute in Kargil to benefit local students. He noted that this would not only preserve the ancient practice but also create employment opportunities in the region.

Dr. Akhoon also advocated for increasing the remuneration of Amchis, stressing that their current pay is inadequate, especially considering their extensive healthcare contributions in rural areas of Ladakh. He praised the Amchis for their role in providing essential health services to marginalized communities.
Highlighting the inclusive nature of Sowa Rigpa, the CEC emphasized that the Amchi profession should not be associated with any particular religion, as its practice in Ladakh transcends cultural and religious boundaries. He encouraged the participation of students from diverse backgrounds in the field.

Executive Councilor for Zanskar Affairs, Er. Phunchok Tashi, underscored key issues to strengthen the Amchi medical practice in Ladakh, including the appointment of Amchi doctors and paramedical staff at medical aid centers in every block of Leh and Kargil. He also advocated for increasing the stipend for traditional Amchi healers and called for the establishment of Health and Wellness Centers, along with 50-bed Sowa Rigpa hospitals, in both Leh and Kargil.

Dr. Padma Gurmet, Director of NISR, expressed his gratitude to CEC Kargil for attending the inaugural session. He highlighted the significance of Sowa Rigpa and its promising national and international future.

This workshop aims to promote the practice of Sowa Rigpa, encourage collaboration among Amchis, and explore new avenues for integrating traditional medicine into modern healthcare systems.