KATHMANDU, Jan 4: Representatives of the stakeholder bodies agreed that the Sowa Rigpa medical treatment system should be expanded to the government hospitals. They also stressed on having the education on this traditional medical practice registered like other medical education systems.

Sowa Rigpa is currently in practice as the Buddha-era health treatment system.

Representatives of the government and academic institutions participating in an interaction on 'practice, policy and future plan of Sowa Rigpa medical system in Nepal' jointly organized by Sowa Rigpa Association Nepal and ADARA Development here today agreed to bring this traditional medical practice into the mainstream of medical education in Nepal. They also agreed to address the problems in the related policy.

Additional Secretary at the Ministry of Health and Population, Dr Dipendra Raman Singh, opined that the Himalayan region can be developed as a health tourism destination if the Sowa Rigpa medical practice and its education could be brought into the mainstream. He described Sowa Rigpa as the world's oldest medical treatment system based on the Himalayan herbal medicines.

He said the required works are being carried out by the government for running courses on Sowa Rigpa at all the medical colleges in the country.

Chief of the Ministry's Policy, Planning and Monitoring Division, Dr Krishna Poudel said the Ministry is positive and effortful in resolving the problems seen in the teaching and learning of Sowa Rigpa as this is a traditional indigenous medical treatment system and not an alternative system.

Dean of Lumbini Buddhist University (LBU), Ukesh Raj Bhuju shared that 17 students of Bachelor's level first batch have passed out from the Sowa Rigpa International College, which is affiliated to LBU. He said students of other batches are also studying Sowa Rigpa, stressing on putting in place legal provisions for registering them in the Council.

Nepal Health Professional Council chairperson Subodh Sharma asserted that initiatives would be made to bring the students who have passed Bachelor's degree in Sowa Rigpa into the registration process as soon as possible.

National Director of ADARA Development Pralhad Dhakal said many patients in the mountainous region of the country are still treated by applying Sowa Rigpa and the people also have faith in this treatment system. He called on the state to develop Sowa Rigpa as an alternative medical treatment system. 

Acting Director of THE Naradevi Ayurveda Hospital Dr Shyam Babu Yadav said the students of Sowa Rigpa can be registered in the Council and called on the Nepal Medical Education Council also to recognize this course as it has been recognizing other medical courses.

On the occasion, Ministry of Health and Population, Ayurveda and Alternative Medical Section chief Dr Pushpa Raj Poudel, former chairperson of Singhadurbar Baidyakhana Dr Baburaja Amatya and National Health Training Centre section chief Dr Madahav Prasad Lamsal said that Nepal should not dither in taking steps immediately towards giving recognition to Sowa Rigpa as many countries, including India, China and Bhutan, have already recognized this medical treatment system.

Krishna Adhikari, board member and editor at Rastriya Samachar Samiti (RSS) and the author of the book titled 'Sowa Rigpa Treatment System', said the State should be able to do 'branding' of this treatment system propounded by Lord Buddha.

Health journalist Praveen Dhakal pointed out the need of publicizing about the Sowa Rigpa health system.

Sowa Rigpa Association president Dr Tenzing Dharke Gurung opined that promotion and expansion of the Sowa Rigpa system would contribute to ensuring the health rights of the people as well as to the country's economy.

Association member Dr Pemba Dolma Lama presented a paper on the status of, and policy provisions and challenges related to Sowa Rigpa.

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