JAMGON KONGTRUL IIIRD HEALTHCARE CENTRE

The plight of the villagers in Lava suffering needlessly from curable diseases, simply because of ignorance and lack of access to care, moved The Third Jamgon Kongtrul Rinpoche to set up a healthcare centre for them and those in similar situation.

The Jamgon Kongtrul IIIrd Memorial Health Care Centre opened in December 1995. In addition to primary health care, the clinic also serves as a link with diagnostic and treatment facilities in Kalimpong (1 hour away by car) and Siliguri (3 hours by car). For many years, it was the only health care facility in Lava and a surrounding 30 or more villages.

As most patients are poor, treatments are free. Medications and medical supplies are subsidised and the very poor are not charged. Patients who are able, pay a one-time registration fee of Rs.30.

The clinic has a resident nurse. An experienced doctor of western medical tradition and a pharmacist visit weekly. Both Dr. Sonam and nurse Lhaden are familiar with the people, their customs and traditions, and have the trust of the community. In addition, the doctor has excellent connections and working relationship with other health care professionals in Kalimpong and Siliguri.

Today, the Jamgon Kongtrul IIIRD Healthcare Centre serves patients from Lava and from around 22 surrounding villages. Their access continues to be mainly by foot, a walk from 15 minutes to an hour. In 2018, the number of patients treated was 1,053. Among them, 151 were less than 6 years old; 160 were between 6 and 18 years old; and the majority of 742 were above 18 years old. Female patients were 60% of total patients. The younger patients up to 18 years old were mainly males but adult patients above 18 years old were mainly female.