Monks could change the idea of healthcare in Bhutan
When my grandfather had a stomach cancer! We performed rituals. My brother applied Nga-Mar (natural butter that has been blessed by a lama) when he accidentally burned his hands. My neighbor was instructed by lama Namkhai Nyingpo to get his natural kidney dialysis from Drungtsho sherab Jordan in his hermitage. And my mom still 'feeds' me Jin-lab to cure my common cold. Our puppies, monkey, cats & cattle are part of our faith-healing system & they have had their share of Jin-lab. And this is a simple data from a household in the capital. The datas and algorithms can be incrementally huge when it comes to faith & healing. A healthy nation is not necessarily the one performing exceptionally well on the GDP charts. But a nation that beholds healthier citizens. And for a tiny nation, NCD (non-communicable diseases seems to be a major cause (54% ) of deaths becoming the single most deadly killer, and an increasing threat in our community.
As of 2015, 33 percent of the Bhutanese is overweight, 42.4 percent of the population consumes alcohol and Bhutanese consume 9 grams of salt a day, almost double the WHO recommended limit of 5 grams. 11.7 percent of children in Bhutan consume the minimum acceptable diet. Approximately 7 percent of road traffic accidents in Bhutan were attributed to drink driving. The incidence of poverty in Bhutan is around 12% and it is mainly a rural phenomenon. By 2020, it is projected that more than 50 percent of the population in Bhutan will be living in urban areas. In 2015, there were a total of 1,442 cases of mental and behaviour disorder due to alcohol or substance abuse. Shockingly iron deficiency anemia remains a major public health problem with a prevalence of 55 percent in women and 80 percent in children. Adolescent Girls and Women are found to be the highest "junk food" addicts. There is need for targeted interventions to address these challenges! And I believe our monks can play a big role in helping Bhutan become healthier.
1961, Bhutan had 2 doctors and 2 nurses. Since then Bhutan has made an incredible achievement in the healthcare and well being. Bhutan today sees 65 years of life expectancy. Perhaps we did so well that we achieved most of the WHO MDG's ( millennium development goals) by the end of 2015. However, there is an acute shortage or disequilibrium on governmental spending on healthcare. A motor accident patient's treatment alone is projected at Nu. 1.6 million. We are consuming pills and getting vaccines for a mild pain or even just to skip class or a work. This must change. Our schools (at least in urban centers) should implement algorithms to understand future data of students behavior to understand the faults in our diets, illness and medical treatment. Our parents must be equally responsible in educating our kids on healthier diets, sporting activities and engaging youths in a meaningful vocational activities. Our government has gracefully done and implemented everything that's possible to tackle these issues. His Majesty went further to tackle the shortage of Human Resources by establishing Gesar Gyelpo medical college.
His Holiness the Je-Khenpo issued a kasho' prohibiting meat servings on important Buddhist festivals & during cremation rituals. It has had a positive nationwide impact. As Majority of the Bhutanese still believe HIV as a past karmic punishment. Mental illness as an evil spell. And unhealthy diets an integral part of custom. And our believes are so strong that we Perform rituals and an exceptional ways of receiving cancer treatment, kidney dialysis, food poisoning or even burns through faith-oriented healing. So we must encourage our Buddhist masters, Khenpo's and Monks to become the next healthy-good-will public ambassadors. They must be introduced to preaching or teaching our 67% rural community farmers and urban communities alike, because they can inspire people with past and next lives. They show path to righteousness. The least they could do is practice healthy lifestyle and promote well being in this life too and unlock the very purpose of this life and the agenda of GNH; health care for all.
A simple fact; 20-30% of the patients around the world get poor medical attention. 30 million people encounter life threatening diseases while visiting hospitals. We consume pills to kill our very cells. As the medical science has entered the next phase of its innovation of stem cells and understanding human genes to treat and cure disease and illness. We in Bhutan can become little philosophical about our healthcare and promote the natural embodiments in food, water, air and environment to tackle healthcare.
What I learned From BBS, The co-founder of camp RUF lost his wife to poor medical attention. He didn't sue the doctors. He promised that he won't visit hospital till his last breath. He would seek natural remedies and healing power from his root gurus. What I also learned from Kuensel, The Bhutan kidney foundation walk (736 KM) raised Nu. 6.3 million campaigning kidney disease awareness. Interestingly, a Melom Chenmo in Bumthang raised more than 6 million on wechat from 400 something members via online banking - in few just few weeks. So we have the maths, we have the faith, all we need is a system!
