From the Administrator's Desk
Today Tibetan Delek Hospital has come a long way from its inauguration in 1971 with our present health services reflecting a well-balanced combination of both the curative and preventative aspects of health. The facilities at Delek are available to all who seek our services especially those who are poor. Our hospital receives no grant from the Tibetan Government or from the Department of Health, of the Central Tibetan Administration (CTA). The hospital aims to be self reliant through income-generating projects and its nominal fees from patients who can afford to pay. The majority of the hospital’s funding, however, continues to be provided by generous donations from dedicated supporters and contributors worldwide. Since most of the hospital’s patients are poor and destitute, the hospital provides special subsidized or free medication facility in such cases.
The hospitals finances are managed by two Accountants and audited each year by the Auditor General of the CTA. Detailed reports are sent to the donors in accordance with agreements reached between the funders at Delek.
The achievements of the Tibetan Delek Hospital over more than four decades, are all due to the blessings of His Holiness the XIV Dalai Lama, the generous support of donors and above all the hard work and dedication of staff.
Finally we, at Delek, would like to take this opportunity to thank all our generous donors, supporters and well wishers who have helped us all over years.
Establishment
Nestled along the north western foothills of the Himalayas, Tibetan Delek Hospital has been providing health care services in Dharamsala for over forty years. The visionary behind Tibetan Delek Hospital was Mr. Tsewang Rinchen Rishing who proposed the founding of an allopathic medical service to cope with the many health problems in our refugee community. With His Holiness the XIV Dalai Lama’s blessings, Tibetan Welfare Delek Hospital was officially inaugurated on October 4th, 1971. The hospital was formally handed over to the Central Tibetan Administration (CTA) on January 1, 1979, and renamed the Tibetan Delek Hospital.
Although distinctly autonomous in its administration and funding, the hospital falls under the auspices of the Department of Health, chief supervisor of all health care delivery among Tibetans in exile. The Tibetan Delek Hospital functions on income-generating projects in order to be more self-sufficient.
The hospital services are offered either at minimal rates or, in cases of genuine need, free of charge. Most of the hospital’s funding is provided by generous donations from dedicated supporters and contributors. Over the past 40 years, the hospital’s range of services has increased from a small dispensary to a multi-facility hospital with 45 patient beds.
Tribute to the founder
Mr. Tsewang Rinchen Rishing (1914 – 1982)
Tsewang Rinchen Rishing was born in the Gyal Tsekyi-Khar region of Tibet.
Following in the footsteps of the Tibetan exodus from Communist China’s invasion of Tibet, Rishing sought refuge in Gangtok, the capital of Sikkim in 1962.
Eventually arriving in Dharamsala Mr. Rishing was twice appointed a Community Leader and became a member of the Third and Fourth Tibetan People’s Deputies in Dharamsala for two terms of three years. Following his close observation of the absence of any medical facilities, and the dire need for one among Tibetan refugees, Mr. Rishing presented a proposal to His Holiness the Dalai Lama for a modest plot of land with a small room or two for the purpose of an allopathic clinic. The proposal was well received by His Holiness with a suggestion that Mr. Rishing planned a much larger project, and the idea of an allopathic Hospital was born in Between the foundation stone being laid and completion of the construction, Mr. Rishing’s project was challenged by continued financial hurdles forcing him, at one stage, to leave his wife’s prized traditional Tibetan jewellery as collateral for loans. (Fortunately in time it was redeemed!) Finally, on the 4th October, 1971, the Tibetan Delek Hospital was officially named and inaugurated by His Holiness the XIV Dalai Lama, Patron of this first Tibetan allopathic hospital. Mr. Rishing administered the Hospital until the end of 1978, after which the Institution was handed over to the Tibetan Government in Exile, to be administered by the Department of Health. On January 3, 1982, Tsewang Rinchen Rishing passed away at the age of 63. Today, we pay tribute to the man who saw a need in our community and committed himself to fulfilling that need. The vision of the founder is celebrated each year on Founder’s Day in his honor.
Board Of Directors :
Although Tibetan Delek Hospital is theoretically under the umbrella of the Central Tibetan Administration (CTA), in practice, the hospital functions as an autonomous institution. Delek’s overall administration is governed by a nine-member Board of Directors chaired by the Health Minister. Mr. Dawa Phunkyi, the current Administrator, manages the overall day-to-day functioning of the hospital with support from Dr. Tsetan Dorji Sadutshang (Chief Medical Officer), and assistance from Delek’s General Secretary, Mr. Tashi Dhondup.
Present Board Of Directors
Specialist Doctors
Experienced Doctor
