By Phurbu Thinley
Phayul Correspondent
Dharamsala, 25 January – The second 8-member executive body of the Central Council of Tibetan Medicine (CCTM) (Tib: Che-thoe-men-pai-lhen-tsog) has been appointed through general election today.
Dr. Dorjee Rabten and Dr. Nyima Tsering are now the new Chairman and Vice Chairman of CCTM respectively. Dr. Thokmey Paljor, Dr. Tseten Dorjee, Dr. Tenzin Loden, Dr. Tenzin Jinpa, Dr. Thokmay and Dr. Tsering Thakchoe are the other members of the council.
The Council members will from now hold the position for a term of three years.
The Council earlier, from January 2 to 6, held its Second International conference here in Dharamsala wherein the new council members were nominated.
The Council was first formed in 2004 under the ‘Exiled Tibetan Sorig Doctors’ Association Act-2003’ and functions as the apex body of all the Traditional Tibetan physicians in Exile.
Speaking to Phayul.com, Dr. Dorjee Rabten said, “Although traditional Tibetan medicine is widely known for its efficacy against chronic diseases, lack of formal recognition of Tibetan medicine and its practitioners worldwide continue to remain our biggest challenge”.
“So, our task is to continue making efforts to find a long-term effective solution by formulating standards that can be legally recognizable in India and elsewhere. This will put our Tibetan medical practitioners at ease”, said Dr. Dorjee.
“There is also a need to work out on effective measures to protect the rights pertaining to the intellectual aspects of the Tibetan medicine” Dr. Dorjee said.
“We have a huge responsibility to carry forward the task initiated by the first executive members of the Council”, says Dr. Dorjee.
When asked about the possibility of Tibetan medicine being lured into commercial business, Dr. Dorjee said that the Council equally emphasises Tibetan medicine to remain purely a public health-oriented service.
“The only Tibetan medical products with commercial scope are a few available herbal products, but these are subject to sell only in the affiliated Tibetan medical outlets”, said Dr. Dorjee. “So, there is less to worry on this,” he adds.
