Hepatitis B, is seen as a chronic challenge for Tibetan Community Health, by Department of Health (DoHe), Central Tibetan Administration (CTA), resulting in high cost screening test, treatment, indulging economic burden with ultimate loss of lives and demeaning life quality. In order to check this health problems emerging from a Hepatitis B infected virus.

A historic two day meeting on Hepatitis B Prevention & Treatment was organised by Department of Health, CTA in collaboration with Gaden Jangtse Hospital Society at Mundgod from 19-20 November 2018.

The objective of the meeting was to formulate algorithm & Standard Operating Procedure for Screening, treatment and follow up of Hepatitis B positive patient, brainstorming and experience sharing on treatment challenges/barriers of HBV, discussing strategy plan and future research needs on Hepatitis B and C.

A total of 28 participants attended the meeting, including allopathic Doctors from Delek Hospital, Physicians from seven hospitals of Department of Health, CTA, Doctors from Tibetan Medical & Astro Institute, Medical officer of Loseling and Gaden Jangtse Monastery at Mundgod. Experts on Hepatitis B Dr Homie Razavi of CDA USA and Dr Laxmi Kant Desai Gastroenterologists, Hepatologist at CMC Vellore were invited for the meeting. Stakeholders including Health Kalon of CTA, Choekyong Wangchuk Settlement Officer & Executive Secretary of DTR Hospital Mundgod and staff from Department of Health, CTA also attended the meeting.

The first day of the meeting started with opening ceremony graced by chief guest of the event Choekyong Wangchuk, Health kalon and special guest Khen rinpoche of Gaden Jang Tse Monastery. Debrief on the background and introduction of the two day meeting was presented by Dr Lobsang Tsering, Head of Public Health division, CTA and Dr Dhondup Tashi, Medical officer of Gaden Jang Tse Hospital.

This was followed by presentation on Hepatitis B program of DoHe and on future research needs by Dr Lobsang Tsering. Dr Homie Razavi presented the current Hepatitis B situation globally and future projections on Hepatitis B in context to the Tibetan community. The participants were divided in two groups for the second half of the day. The groups of experts drafted a standard operating procedure for screening and treatment of hepatitis B positive patients. On the other hand, the group of general physicians discussed on the checklist for Tibetan community viral hepatitis strategy and action plan, and shared their experiences on challenges and barriers of hepatitis B treatment.

The second day is planned for discussing the draft SOP and the viral hepatitis strategy plan with the participants for suggestions. Dr Tsetan and Dr Dhondup Tashi presented on hepatitis B treatment and challenges/barriers of the treatment based on their experiences.

With this meeting Department of Health, CTA aspires to achieve a standard operating protocol for Screening and Treating Hepatitis B patients in Tibetan Community.

The Meeting was funded by Gift of the United States Government (PRM).