The Dagyab Association's primary goal in training traditional Tibetan doctors is to provide the population with better medical care. In the future this will be made available throughout the region.

The largest institute for Tibetan medicine (a beautiful building, built in 1999 in traditional Tibetan style) is in Bugön and has served exclusively as a training institute with up to 120 students. 58 doctors have completed their training there. Most of them are working in Dagyab, some in private practice, others as employees of the village communities, but also for our projects (Magön Hospital, the nuns' hermitages, the schools for nomads). We have thus had considerable success in our efforts to improve medical care for the people of Dagyab.

The second generation of students - 56 in all - moved to Jendüm in 2004 at the direction of the health division of the local administration. Last year (2005) a boarding-school for Tibetan medicine was constructed with government funds. After completing this course of training the best students may go to Lhasa to pursue further studies at the Mentsikhang (medical college) there. Both of the main instructors of our institute were taken over by the government, too. The institute in Bugön now serves as a normal hospital. In addition, a division for mother-and-child care, under the direction of a dedicated young midwife, is now being built.

Also the two main teachers of our institute were taken over by the government school. Institut in Bugön works now as normal hospital.

Additionally a department for mother/child care is established, which will be led by an engaged young midwife.

The three Tibetan women doctors of the Bugön Institute who have completed a one-year course in midwifery in Chamdo, financed by the Dagyab Association (Dagyab e.V.), are currently pursuing further studies at the Jendüm Hospital.

They are very much interested in opening an obstetrics division within the Bugön Hospital for traditional Tibetan medicine in the future.

They need 2000 Yüan (about 2000 Euros) as start-up capital. This would be greatly beneficial for the women in the area around Bugön, as they still give birth at home, for the most part without any experienced helpers. Tibet's newborn mortality rate is considerable, as the mothers and their helpers lack knowledge of even the simplest first-aid tools and techniques, such as suctioning off mucus out of the babies' noses.

In Yendüm, Dagyab's adminsitrative center, an additional institute for traditional Tibetan medicine has been built close to the monastery of Magön with funds provided by the Association. In our last report we described the plans. At this time one doctor, who is also a monk from Magön Monastery, and three alumni of the medical institute in Bugön practice there. The people of Yendüm have welcomed it enthusiastically because they can now be treated very affordably (3 - 5 Yüan for a consultation with one of the doctors) and with traditional methods.