Committed to the prevention of cardiovascular diseases
The Ladakh Heart Foundation is a non-profit, non-political organisation which was formed and registered under the J&K Government Registration and Societies Act on the 20th February 1997. Ladakh is one of the largest districts in the Indian Himalayas, lying at an altitude of 3/3500m. The high altitude, extremely cold environment and difficult living conditions result in a high incidence of congenital and acquired heart disease, as well as causing a high prevalence of respiratory problems. Since it was established three years ago the Foundation and all those involved have worked hard to help the people of Ladakh in teaching them more bout the risks of heart disease, and in raising money to improve Ladakh’s facilities for the treatment of such conditions.
Here are several accounts of what the Ladakh Heart Foundation has undertaken and achieved over the last three years...
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Preventative Intervention
Before the establishment of the Ladakh Heart Foundation in 1997, there was a high prevalence of Acquired Rheumatic Fever in Ladakh. The reason for this is that during the extremely cold winter months (which can drop to below 30), local families spend most of their time together in the traditional kitchen. This close proximity to each other exposes young children to cross infection with streptococcal throat infections, which may develop into Acquired Rheumatic Fever, and possibly Rheumatic Heart Disease with severe consequences later in life.
In response to this problem the Ladakh Heart Foundation, in association with the Lions Club Leh and the District Health Services, initiated the “primary prevention of ARF” scheme. This entails any child aged between five and fifteen with possible streptococcal throat infection, receiving a single shot of Benzathene Penicillin after a proper sensitivity test, so that the infection doesn’t develop into ARF. Thanks to this scheme the instance of Acquired Rheumatic Fever, Acute Rheumatic Fever and Rheumatic Heart Disease has dropped since 1997.
The Aims and Objectives:
- With the support and advice of medical experts, to provide health education and the necessary interventionist facilities for primary prevention of Acute Rheumatic Fever (ARF).
- To provide facilities for medical experts to conduct well-planned surveys to identify infants and children suffering from congenital heart disease, very prevalent in the higher regions of Ladakh, and give such sufferers all possible help.
- To enable the provision of secondary prophylaxis for those already suffering from rheumatic heart disease and to render all possible help in organizing surgical treatment in tertiary referral centers.
- To establish an efficient emergency service, with two mobile ambulance units. One to be provided with the latest resuscitation and First-aid equipment, the other to be equipped with portable X-ray and ultrasound machines, ECG and equipment for minor emergency surgery so that medical experts can serve the remote villages of Ladakh.
- To give health education in the prevention of Acute Respiratory Infection (ARI) and Acute Gastro-enteritis, the two childhood killer diseases.
- To provide medical care and support for sick children and their parents, with particular emphasis on heart problems. To offer such care to all children, regardless and religion, caste or financial status.
- To offer advice and support to heart patients whose condition is inoperable.
- To conduct research into heart problems that are specific to children born at high altitude, with the aim of reducing the incidence of such problems.
Background
The Ladakh Heart Foundation is a non-profit making, non political charitable trust. It was established in 1997 by Ven. Thupstan. Chogyal, a local monk. The organisation was started due to the high prevalence of cardio-vascular disease, acquired and congenital heart disease within the local community. These can be attributed to the altitude and harsh living conditions.
His Holiness, the Dalai Lama, who is the Patron of Ladakh Heart Foundation has very kindly donated (10,000 US dollar) which has been utilized in starting the construction work. We, at the Ladakh Heart Foundation fully realize the difficult conditions under which we have to work and intend to carry out the projects regardless of difficulties.
History of Ladakh
The district of Ladakh (Fig. 2) lies at the border with Tibet at the most eastern corner of the State of Kashmir. Placed at very high altitude this is a region with very low population. It is surrounded by the great mountain chain of Karakoram and Himalayas. It is also called "little
Tibet" or "the last Shangri-la". This land shelters a millennial culture where the monasteries and the medieval temples (gompas) which keep invaluable art treasures. The true repository of an ancient knowledge, this land is one of the few places where tradition has been maintained alive until present days.
Leh, the capital, has the highest airport in the world. It's almost the only way to access the area since November until May, because mountain passes are closed.
During V to XV centuries, Ladakh was an independent kingdom assigned to Tibet. Little by little, due to tensions among local kings and the pressure of China over the Tibet, the relationship got worse. The dependence of Kashmir was greater and greater until Ladakh became a part of the independent India in 1948. In the present days comprises the 60% of the State of Jammu and Kashmir, but has an independent and own culture assured by the mountainous borders that separate Ladakh from the rest of India. In 1995, the Ladakhians created in its region the Autonomous Development Council. This way, Ladakh has an autonomous organization that will try to improve the economical and social development of the region, marked by climate and tradition.
Present scenario
The lack of medical facilities in this district is a serious problem. The population does not have access to either health education or the staff and equipment needed to diagnose and treat cardiovascular disorders. As already mentioned, the majority of patients can not afford the expense involved with obtaining the treatment they require. The lack of health education means that the population is unaware of the effects of high risk behaviors such as smoking, obesity sedentary life, excessive alcohol and salt consumption on their health. As a result, local people are unfamiliar with the effect such behaviors may have on their health.
The Ladakh Heart Foundation has concluded that the most effective solution to the problem is to embark upon a programme for the prevention and control of cardio-vascular disease in Ladakh (the community heart and health partnership).
Objectives
The goal of this project is to teach local health workers to recognise the symptoms of heart disease. It is also to train them in the early diagnosis, treatment and appropriate referral of heart patients.
We also plan to educate and empower the local community about health issues, concerned with heart disease and diabetes. This includes implementing campaigns and consoling people to increase their awareness of issues such as the correlation between sore throats and Rheumatic fever, about the importance of controlling hypertension, decreasing sodium and fat intake.
LIST OF MEMBERS OF THE LADAKH HEART FOUNDATION
1. President: |
Thupstan Chogyal |
2. Vice-President: |
Thupstan Paldan |
3. Secretary: |
Mipham Otsal |
4. Jt. Secretary |
Dr. Nawang Tsering |
5. Treasurer: |
Lobzang Thapkhas |
6. Members: |
Dorjee Namgial |
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Dr. Tsering Norboo, Surgeon specialist |
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Dr. Tsering Norboo, Physician specialist |
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Dr. Tsering Lhadol, Gynecologist |
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Dr. Mohd Ramzan Ali, anaesthetist |
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Dr. Sonam Wangchuk, Child specialist |
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Dr. P.T. Angchuk, Radiologist |
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Dr. Tashi Namgyal, ENT surgeon |
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Dr. Tsewang Smanla, Dental surgeon |
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Dr. Dolma Tsering, Assistant surgeon |
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Dr. Phuntsog Tsering, Assistant surgeon |
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Dr. Yangchan Dolma, Assistant surgeon |
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Dr. Phunchok Wangchok, Assistant surgeon |
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Dr. Mohd Iqbal, Assistant surgeon |
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Dr. Tsering Angchuk Katpa, Assistant surgeon |
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Dr. Sonam Dawa Lonpo, Medical Superintendent |
Doctors who always help LHF:
Dr. Tsering Norboo, Surgeon specialist
Dr. Tsering Norboo, Physician specialist
Dr. Tsering Lhadol, Gynecologist
Dr. Tashi Namgyal, ENT surgeon
His Holiness the Dalai Lama, patron of Ladakh Heart Foundation with Prof. Sampath Kumar and T. Chogyal the president of Ladakh Heart Foundation