1. Dr. Myra Elliott has now brought two major dental & medical teams to Ladakh in 2008 & 2009 and has successfully treated over 2,000 Ladakhi patients for a wide range of dental, visual and general health issues.
2. Dr. Marcus Ang, an eye specialist on the 2009 team, uncovered another major health crisis in the area of general eye and vision care. Cataracts, congenital eye disorders and damage caused by exposure to the intense UV sunlight at altitude has created a major problem in this area. We are taking steps to provide the surgical treatments for those that require the most extreme care, but also a program of wide spread distribution of protective sunglasses, hygienic eye drops and prescriptions for corrective eyeglasses for those in need. The more financial assistance we can inspire from the international community, the more people we can help with these very cost effective treatments.
3. A major education and examination scheme is being developed to address the almost total lack of women health practitioners in Ladakh. High rates of preventable cervical cancers and other gynecological conditions can be addressed with relatively small financial expenditures. With public service information broadcasts on All India Radio in conjunction with trained gynecologists who come to Ladakh to treat the local woman as well as train the existing nurses and midwives in basic examination and diagnostic techniques, major progress can be made.
4. An area wide, mandatory oral health care education program has been initiated where the causes, preventions and treatments of tooth decay will continue to be taught to the students of Lamdon Schools located in 10 different locations in Ladakh. Teaching aids for this purpose have been donated by The Singapore Dental Association and dental supply companies in Singapore. Instruction posters are now displayed in all the student dormitories and wash rooms. To as large an extent as possible, we will continue to distribute toothbrushes and toothpaste to the school students free of charge. Our sincere thanks go out to Colgate India for their generous support for this beneficial program.
5. Dr. Vivienne Levy of Christchurch, New Zealand is returning to Ladakh with another team of dental professionals in October of 2009. She will be able to follow up on the work done by Dr. Elliott’s team in July. We are receiving several offers from dental teams from The United States, New Zealand as well as India and we encourage them to continue with their plans to travel to Ladakh and carry on the progress that has been made thus far.
6. The nurse at Lamdon School in Leh, Ms Yangchen Dolma, has received extensive specialized dental hygienist and technical training for the past two years from American dentist Dr. Jason Doten of Wisdomtooth.org. She is now able to provide ongoing cleaning and basic treatment throughout the year. We are currently attempting to secure a place for one of the students of Lamdon School to attend dental school in Singapore so that he or she can return and staff the school clinic full time and also provide professional dentalcare to other schools and the community at large.
We invite international dental, visual, gynecological and medical professionals to consider bringing their skills and humanitarian spirit to Ladakh and help us to provide treatment for the students of local schools as well as the community at large.
In reciprocal gratitude, our honored guests will be afforded the opportunity to embark on treks, tours of the Indus Valley and other memorable adventures as a mutually beneficial experience. There is a great deal to do, but the first steps have been taken. The hard part is over and we’re on the road to the huge opportunity to ease needless suffering through education and treatment. You are most welcomed to be a part of the future successes of the project