Raising awareness

Calls to raise health awareness have grown stronger in recent years as the infrastructure has been built up and the capabilities of regional medical personnel have advanced rapidly.

Chosang was born and raised in Lhasa, the regional capital, which enjoys first-class healthcare services. Having traversed many mountain trails to treat patients in remote towns and villages, he believes that too little attention has been paid to overall health in ordinary households, despite steady improvements in medical services.

"For example, someone who frequently senses a flickering pain in his bladder - a sign of stones - usually ignores it, provided there is no sustained adverse reaction and it does not interfere with his daily life," he said.

Meanwhile, Gong met dozens of patients in the county who rejected his suggestion to undergo medical tests that are key to identifying the causes of their illnesses, mainly because they were unwilling to travel to other parts of the region.

"Limited access to up-to-date facilities certainly plays a role in their reluctance, because some tests, such as MRI scans and gastroscopy, are not available at the county hospital," he said.

"But it certainly does not hurt for them to be aware of these medical technologies and their significance in helping to sharpen diagnosis. So, when conditions allow, they might find it easier to follow another doctor's advice to spend money and time on crucial checkups."

Chosang said, "The most common illnesses in Tibet are chronic conditions, and to tackle them, healthy lifestyle choices are almost as important as treatment plans."

Tibet is renowned for its harsh living environment. The average altitude is 4,000 meters above sea level, resulting in low oxygen levels and mercurial weather that primarily disrupt heart and lung functions.

Even the mildest areas, including the southeastern city of Nyingchi where the rich foliage pumps out extra oxygen, have high rates of coronary heart disease and high blood pressure, according to the local government.

The lifestyle also complicates health issues. The diet, which features large amounts of yak butter and meat, causes cardiovascular problems, while stones in the kidneys and gallbladder are prevalent as a result of low water intake.

"We have already launched some educational events targeting common disorders to urge local residents to pay attention to small changes, such as eating more vegetables while cutting down on yak butter and salt," Chosang said.

Back to normal

Garab, a retired teacher, is one of a growing number of people who have benefited from taking those suggestions to heart.

"My life hung by a thread because of worsening coronary artery disease. Following heart bypass surgery at the hospital in Nyingchi in 2013, I began to eat more fruit and vegetables," the 67-year-old Kongpo'gyada native said.

"I am always mindful of the doctors' words, and I have cut my meat and butter consumption bit by bit. It was easier than I had imagined."

After the bypass, Garab was relieved to find that when she walked across the bridge that spans the Nyang River which winds through the county and ascended three flights of stairs at the hospital, her blood pressure stayed within the normal limits.

"It's a testament to my conscious efforts to stay fit and healthy," she said. "High blood pressure and heart disease are prevalent in my neighborhood. I am no doctor, but I want to share my experiences to help more people eradicate these illnesses."