Donations can also be sent by those wishing to have prayers said for relatives and friends. This project is an innovative effort aimed at health education and sanitation within the Drepung Gomang Monastery. A group of about 100 monks formed a committee with elected members managing and keeping records on members' health problems. Funds help with emergencies, special needs of TB patients and other medical needs for which there is no other source to turn. Records help to identify problems and serve a preventative as well as financial purpose.
Younger monks gain administrative experience and all are more focused on health issues.
Lives have been saved with this program, which was started by a Tibetan monk whose brother died due to lack of available funds and a plan for such emergencies. Currrently we have been especially focussing on treating those with ulcers due to infection by the Helicobacter Pylori bacteria. We have funded the cure of ulcers of monks in this group as well as those in other monasteries and nuns in the nunnery. Our work uncovered the fact that the hospital had acquired defective and harmful batches of the antibiotic Amoxicillin through an Indian supplier who turned out to be getting medicine from mainland China. Fortunately the same medicine from another supplier was excellent.