Dorji Tse Monastery is one of the oldest in Bumthang, located more than 23km (14 miles) away from the main town. Unfortunately, due to road conditions and the costs of hiring cars, the monks are forced to walk on foot to the nearest health center for services. Last week, our partners at the Wangdicholing Hospital in Bumthang organized a health camp at the monastery to ease the burden of travel and offer on-site health services to the community.
At the health camp, about 30 monks received medical services. The health screenings included eye tests, physiotherapy, ultrasounds, lab work, medications, and dental services.
In addition to the adults, the monastery hosts several monks below 15 years old. Given their young ages, it’s important that they have access to health education, screenings, and preventive measures. These are critical to reducing childhood illness that affects adolescence, monitoring growth and development, and identifying nutritional concerns.
As part of the program, the medical services offered at the health camp were diverse to offer the best possible full-scope screenings. Eye care services included tests for refractive errors, medication, free glasses and eyewear for the monks, and a vision test.
The health team also recommended exercises and other physical activities for physiotherapy. In addition to multiple lab tests and blood work options, the team also offered dental restoration, extraction, oral screening, and oral health education. There were also traditional medicine and therapy services during the health camp.
“It is a privilege for us to get various medical services from the health professionals of the Wangdicholing Hospital on our premises. It is challenging for young monks like us to walk to the hospital. We are deeply indebted to the Bhutan Foundation and Wangdicholing Hospital for this noble initiative,” said Lam Dorji, a monastery monk who took part in the health screenings.
