Hospitals
and Other Health Facilities
Hospital
and health clinics in Central Tibet are primarily located in Lhasa, Shigatse,
and Tsethang,. The language barrier can be a problem, so it is a good idea to
bring along a Chinese interpreter.
Hospitals
In Lhasa,
the main hospital recommended for foreigners is the Renmin, or People's Hospital,
on Dzugtrun Lam, the east-west street north of the Potala. It has an emergency
room as well as an aliens?(foreigners) clinic with a doctor generally on duty
from 9 a.m to 5 p.m.
The
Lhasa People's Hospital (the City Hospital) is located at the east end of Lhasa
on Dekyi Bhar Lam, just past the Banok Shol hotel. Although the recommended hours
for visitation are 9 a.m to 5 p.m, the doctor who sees foreigners is generally
available in the evening from 7 p.m to 9 p. m.
The Holiday Inn in Lhasa has
a doctor's clinic for their guests, with a medical staff provided by the People's
Hospital. Consultations are arranged through the assistant manager in the hotel
lobby. Visitation fees are in addition to the costs of any medicines provided.
The Tibetan Medicine Hospital,
called the Menzi Khang, is located across from the Barkor Square. Hours are from
9:30 a.m to 1:30 p.m and 3:30 p.m to 6 p.m; the hospital is closed on Sunday.
Diagnosis of an illness is done by traditional Tibetan medicinal techniques, such
as feeling the pulse and examining the urine, and the medicinal prescribed are
mostly traditional Tibetan herbal preparations. Foreigners should report to the
outpatient section. If you have a chance, ask permission to see the beautiful
collection of medical-oriented thangka paintings displayed on the hospital's top
floor.
In Shigatse,
a modern, multistory hospital is located about a ten-minute walk north of the
Shigatse Hotel. If the main central entrance is locked, try the emergency room
entrance to the right.
In Tsethang, the hospital is located on the north side
of the main road to Gongkar Airport, near the T intersection with the road leading
south toward the main part of the city. There is also a hospital in Chonggye.
The hospital closet to
the Everest region is in Shegar (turnoff at km market 482/3). It has several inpatient
wards and a few doctors, though the Shigatse hospital is better equipped for serious
injuries or illnesses.
Dentists
The only proper
dental facility (by Western standards) in Central Tibet is in Lhasa at the Military
Hospital Dental Clinic on Xingfu Xi Lu Street, near the Holiday inn. It has modern
equipment and will accept foreigners. The only alternative is to use one of the
street side dentists displaying sets of false teeth in the city markets.
Pharmacies
Most of
the pharmacies in Lhasa are located along the main street, Dekyi Shar Lam, either
below the Potala or closer to the Barkor near the Yak and Kirey hotels. Some of
these shops have signs with a red cross or the word "Pharmacy" They typically
sell Chinese and Tibetan medicines, but also some Western antibiotics, analgesics,
and vitamins. Many pharmacies double as outpatient clinics. If you need a specific
drug, bring a sample if you have one.
The
best pharmacies in Shigatse and Tsethang are located in the city hospitals. The
usual procedure is to meet with a doctor, who will then prescribe the medicine.
If a doctor is not available, you might be able to convince a nurse to sell you
medicine if you can mime your complaint or if you have a drug sample.
Clinics in Nepal (for trekkers)
Sometimes
it is best to see a Western doctor in a private, Western-style clinic, either
out of necessity or simply for peace of mind. If someone is injured or becomes
seriously ill during a trek in the Everest or Shishapangma regions, you should
seriously consider going to one of the clinics in Kathmandu. They are closer than
the hospital in Shigatse and the facilities are superior. The best-known (and
most expensive) clinic with Western doctors is the CIWEC clinic in Baluwatar (phone
410983) across from the Russian Embassy. Another reliable clinic with a highly
qualified Western-trained doctor is the Nepal International Clinic (phone 412842),
located across from the Royal Palace on a side street near the cinema. The Tribuwan
University Teaching Hospital on Maharaj Ganj Street has a good emergency room-outpatient
service.
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