Protecting medical heritage

A medical worker at the Dzatod County People's Hospital in Yushu on Aug 6 attends to 23-year-old Gartsok and her newborn twins. [Provided to China Daily]

The rebuilding of Yushu Prefecture Tibetan Medicine Hospital has also renewed interest in traditional Tibetan medicine.

"Following the earthquake, our treatments have helped many people with stomach ailments or diseases related to the liver," said Chimed Palmo, a physician at the hospital.

She said most residents in Yushu are Tibetans but Tibetan medicine is also highly regarded among other ethnic groups.

The new hospital with four floors opened in 2013 with help from donations from the Red Cross Society of Fujian province. On the top floor, there is an exhibition hall presenting Tangka, traditional Tibetan paintings, that depict the human organs, herbs and health exercises.

The hospital also set up a small museum for free public viewing. Exhibits include samples of Tibetan medicine and figures of Medicine Buda, who is the patron saint of Tibetan medicine. Iron surgical instruments used in ancient times can also be found in the museum.

"We wanted to protect these relics and keep the spirit of traditional Tibetan medicine alive. It is not only life-saving medicine. It also reflects a culture that should be protected," said Gelek Gyatso, director of the hospital's Tibetan Medicine Research Office.