A meeting in Srinagar in June of the Task Force on Health Sector Reforms advocated the expansion of telemedecine into Ladakh, specifically, Leh, Kargil and Zanskar. Telemedecine - the delivery of health-related services and information using telecommunications technologies (video conferencing etc.) would potentially revolutionise treatment in Zanskar, although one cannot help but ask whether communications in Zanskar are reliable for such a system to operate. Saying that, the broadband speed in Padum is faster than my connection in the UK...

Perhaps even more fundamental is that telemedicine in Zanskar may well require the complete overhaul of Padum's basic medical facilities. Unfortunately ideas once again appear to exceed the capacity of the existing infrastructure, although, if the scheme prompts the improvement of medical facilities in Padum, so much the better.

You can read more about the story here.

Karsha Gustor did indeed pass off this year with no cham. For the first time in living memory, and perhaps for centuries, Gustor at Karsha monastery was celebrated without the masked dances. This apparently was due to the previously reported damaged platform area. Clearly the crores of rupees earmarked from the Zanskar Development Authority for 'gonpa restoration' have yet to reach Karsha's cham platform!