App offers guide to Tibetan medical care

A mobile application providing information at no cost about Tibetan medicine in the Tibetan language has been updated recently. The project is part of an effort to provide online access to Tibetan medicine, which has a history of over 2,300 years.

The app includes the diagnosis and treatment of 128 diseases frequently encountered on the plateau and information on 300 kinds of Tibetan medicines.

By downloading the app, a user can get information on symptoms, therapy, prevention and medication contraindications by searching a keyword or looking for it in the alphabetical classification on the app.

The Dictionary of Tibetan Medicine app was launched by the Tibetan Hospital in Lhasa, capital of the Tibet autonomous region.

"The app provides a convenient platform for the exchange of knowledge among researchers, which helps preserve and carry forward ancient Tibetan culture," said Buchong Tsering, director of the hospital's scientific and educational department, who is in charge of the app's development.

It also gives the public access to a handy reference in case of illness, he said.

The app was developed in 2016 by the hospital's clinical research center based on the printed Dictionary of Tibetan Medicine, which contains definitions of more than 10,000 Tibetan medical terms.

The hospital updated it recently by adding diagnoses for common diseases and the effectiveness of Tibetan medicines. Some 30 top Tibetan medical experts participated to guarantee accuracy and authoritativeness, Tsering said.

"The app provides a free information resource that is only a click away. The design is simple and easy, which saves me a lot of time," said Dawa Tsering, director of the hospital's encephalopathy department.

"I hope the app will be updated and expanded with more valuable medical information in the future to better spread Tibetan medicine to the public in an accessible way."

Sherab, a family member of a patient, said: "I have often checked the app on my phone to know more about the dietary considerations for the disease. With advice from doctors and the app, I can better care for my family member."

Buchong Tsering said the app is available only in Tibetan.