Tibetan Traditional Hospital (Mentsikhang)

Tibet Autonomous Region Tibetan Hospital (西藏自治区藏医院) is a Grade A Triple-A hospital and a national demonstration center for Tibetan medicine (藏医药). It integrates medical care, research, education, prevention, health care, and the production of Tibetan medicine into one institution. Located in Lhasa (拉萨), it is one of the most important centers for Tibetan medicine in China.

Hospital Overview

General Information

Name: Tibet Autonomous Region Tibetan Hospital (西藏自治区藏医院)
Established: 1916
Location: 26 Niangre Road, Chengguan District, Lhasa, Tibet (西藏自治区拉萨市城关区娘热路26号)
Hospital Director: Tsering (次仁)
Hospital Level: Grade A Triple-A
Hospital Type: Comprehensive Hospital

Hospital Description

Tibet Autonomous Region Tibetan Hospital, formerly known as the Lhasa Menzi Kang (拉萨门孜康), was established in 1916. After the democratic reforms in Tibet in 1959, it was reorganized into Lhasa Tibetan Hospital (拉萨藏医院). In 1980, it was renamed as Tibet Autonomous Region Tibetan Hospital (西藏自治区藏医院), and in 2005, it was rated as a Grade A Triple-A national ethnic medical hospital. The hospital is recognized for its significant contribution to preserving and promoting Tibetan medicine and is a key research and educational institution for Tibetan medicine in the region.

Hospital Achievements

As of October 2023, the hospital occupies over 200 acres, including the main building, old outpatient area, formulation room, and the Baideng Medicinal Herb Planting Base (白定药材种植基地). It comprises 51 departments, including administrative, clinical, and research teams, with a total staff of 858 people. The hospital has 539 open beds and is home to 21 clinical specialty departments, 4 clinical technical departments, 4 research institutes, and 11 functional offices.

The hospital has also established several national key laboratories (国家级重点实验室) and specialized clinical research centers for Tibetan medicine.

Key Medical Achievements: The hospital has developed 67 Tibetan medical treatment plans for common diseases and has received high praise for its treatment of conditions such as high-altitude sickness, gastritis, epilepsy, and hepatitis.
Research Excellence: Tibet Autonomous Region Tibetan Hospital has played an instrumental role in preserving ancient Tibetan medical texts, having saved over 1300 Tibetan medical and astronomical manuscripts. The hospital has published works like the “Snowy Plateau Tibetan Medicine Encyclopaedia” and the “Traditional Tibetan Medicine Volumes”.

The hospital is a national clinical trial center for Tibetan medicine and is also designated as a national Tibetan medicine cultural heritage center by the UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage Program. Several Tibetan medicine practices have been added to the UNESCO List of Intangible Cultural Heritage, including the Sowa Rigpa Bathing Method (藏医药浴法).

Hospital Departments

Specialized Departments

Tibetan Medicine Center: The hospital focuses on traditional Tibetan therapies and external treatments. It treats various conditions such as gout, rheumatoid arthritis, and spinal disc problems using Tibetan medicine practices like bloodletting, fire moxibustion, and herbal treatments.
Pediatrics, Gastroenterology, Orthopedics, Liver Disease Center, Emergency Medicine, Surgical Departments, Cardiology, and Neurology are among the clinical specialties available.
Tibetan Medicine Cultural Center: It houses the Tibetan Medicine Cultural Heritage Center and Tibetan Medical Research Institutes focused on both modern and traditional medical advancements.

Traditional Tibetan Treatment

The Traditional Therapy Center (传统疗法中心) of Tibet Autonomous Region Tibetan Hospital specializes in Tibetan external treatment methods like fire moxibustion, bloodletting therapy, and head baths. These treatments are used to treat conditions such as varicose veins, gout, high-altitude polycythemia, and neuralgia. It is a hub for preserving traditional Tibetan medical knowledge and training medical professionals in these specialized treatments.

Leadership Team

Zhang Gengyun: Member of the Tibet Autonomous Region Health and Family Planning Committee (西藏自治区卫生健康委) and Secretary of the Party Committee at Tibet Autonomous Region Tibetan Hospital (西藏自治区藏医院).
Tsering: Vice-Secretary of the Party Committee and Director of Tibet Autonomous Region Tibetan Hospital (西藏自治区藏医院).
Soduo: Vice-Director of the hospital and Executive Deputy Director.
Yinba: Vice-Director and Researcher.
Cheng Zhi: Deputy Director and Researcher.
Bai Ma: Deputy Director, Chief Physician and Member of the Party Committee.

Hospital History

Early Beginnings

The hospital’s roots trace back to 1916, when Tibetan Buddhist scholars and physicians established Lhasa Menzi Kang (拉萨门孜康) under the patronage of the 13th Dalai Lama (十三世达赖喇嘛). Over the years, the institution grew and evolved into a cornerstone of Tibetan medicine in the region.

1696: The Medicine King Mountain Medical Clinic (药王山医学利众院) was established across from the Potala Palace (布达拉宫) and became one of the leading medical institutions in Tibetan medicine.
1916: Lhasa Menzi Kang (拉萨门孜康) was founded under the Dalai Lama’s support, becoming a hub for training Tibetan medicine professionals.

Modern Recognition

The hospital received national recognition as a model Tibetan medicine hospital in 1996 and was later rated as a Grade A Triple-A hospital in 2005. In 2007, it was named as one of the first national ethnic medical construction units. It continued to expand and innovate, becoming an official national clinical research base for Tibetan medicine.