Leh, Apr 1: In a concerted push to integrate traditional medicine with formal healthcare delivery, the National Ayush Mission (NAM), Ladakh, has entered into a memorandum of understanding with the Central Institute of Buddhist Studies (CIBS), Leh, to strengthen the Sowa-Rigpa system across clinical services, medical education and institutional infrastructure in the Union Territory.
The agreement, signed under the aegis of the Directorate of AYUSH, Ladakh, seeks to bring Sowa-Rigpa—an indigenous system of medicine with deep roots in the Himalayan region—into closer alignment with the public health framework guided by the National Ayush Mission. The collaboration marks a structured attempt to expand the reach of traditional healthcare while reinforcing institutional capacities in the sector.
At the core of the MoU is a multi-pronged framework that provides for the assured supply of essential Sowa-Rigpa medicines to the CIBS Teaching Hospital, alongside the establishment of a dedicated Yoga and Meditation Wellness Centre within the campus. The agreement also envisages targeted infrastructural support for the Sowa-Rigpa Medical College, signalling an emphasis on long-term capacity building.
In a move aimed at strengthening human resources, CIBS has been designated as a knowledge and capacity-building partner for training and upskilling AYUSH health personnel across Ladakh. The MoU further outlines mechanisms for developing referral linkages between state health institutions and rolling out joint outreach and awareness programmes to widen access to traditional treatment systems.
The signing ceremony, held at Choglamsar, opened with a ceremonial lamp-lighting before the Medicine Buddha, led by Director of AYUSH Ladakh, Dr. Tashi Thinlas, and Vice Chancellor of CIBS, Prof. Rajesh Ranjan. The event drew participation from senior officials of the Directorate of AYUSH and CIBS, faculty members, healthcare professionals and students associated with Sowa-Rigpa studies.
Welcoming the gathering, Dean of the Sowa-Rigpa Medical College and Hospital, Dr. Thinles Yangjor, underscored the continued relevance of the system in Ladakh’s healthcare landscape and the need for institutional support to sustain and expand its practice. This was followed by a presentation from the State Programme Manager of NAM Ladakh, detailing the objectives and proposed implementation roadmap of the agreement.
Addressing the gathering, Dr. Thinlas emphasised that the collaboration would enable a more cohesive integration of Sowa-Rigpa within the region’s healthcare delivery system, bridging traditional knowledge with contemporary public health needs.
Prof. Ranjan, in his remarks, acknowledged the proactive engagement of NAM and assured stakeholders of timely and effective execution of the MoU, noting that institutional coordination would be central to achieving its intended outcomes.
The ceremony concluded with a vote of thanks by Deputy Registrar, CIBS, Dr. Tsering Choldan, who acknowledged the collaborative effort underpinning the initiative and expressed confidence in its long-term impact on healthcare and education in Ladakh.
