The next training will be held in Punakha

Thinley Namgay 

JDWNRH’s palliative care unit and the lams in communities will work together to provide better services for cancer patients.

The community service unit under Central Monastic Body trained 35 residence lams and clergy representatives from Paro, Haa, Chukha and Thimphu in community service during a three-day programme that ended in Thimphu yesterday. 

Representatives from Central Monastic Body, JDWNRH and National Traditional Medicine Hospital briefed the participants on catering better religious services and shared essential information on modern and traditional medicine services.

Chairperson of the Thimphu community service unit, Damcho Gyeltshen, said that the training would further improve religious services for cancer patients and other citizens in general during a difficult situation. “Religious services such as kago, wang (initiation), astrology aspect and funeral rites, among others would be provided by each lam.”

“Religious services have been provided by the clergy starting Zhabdrung’s era, but many don’t prefer the community lams and seek big lamas. These lams in the communities are qualified to perform all these services,” said Damcho Gyeltshen.

“Hereafter, the palliative care unit will inform the lams about the details of the patients, who need their services. All services will be provided as per the patient aspirations,” he said. “Payment for services is as per the patient’s wish.”

Damcho Gyeltshen said that the programme would be rolled out to the rest of the country to ensure uniform coverage and easy access for those who need the services.

Hereafter, the training will be conducted annually. The next training will be held in Punakha for the clergy representative from the central and other regions.

The event was dedicated to three important occasions- the 400th year of Chagri monastery establishment by Zhabdrung Ngawang Namgyel, the silver jubilee anniversary of the 70th Je Khenpo’s enthronement, and to pay tribute to His Majesty’s relentless efforts in combating the Covid-19 pandemic.