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60 Years in the Clouds: The Life and Work of Dr. Tsering Norboo At 83 years old, Dr. Tsering Norboo is more than a physician; he is a foundational pillar of the Himalayan medical landscape. Over a career spanning six decades, he has navigated the shifting borders and extreme altitudes of Ladakh to provide care where none existed. From leading the region’s first polio vaccination drives to his quiet role as the personal physician to the Dalai Lama, Dr. Norboo’s life is a testament to the power of a single, dedicated presence in the most remote corners of the earth. This summer, ATMA is documenting Dr. Norboo’s journey as he returns to the high-altitude settlement of Karzok. In a region currently transformed by climate change, geopolitical tension, and urbanization, Dr. Norboo remains a steady, humble archive of Ladakhi history and resilience. As he nears the end of his clinical career, our documentary project aims to preserve his story before the "Land of High Passes" loses its most tireless advocate. This film is a tribute to a life lived in service to those above the clouds, and an urgent look at the future of healthcare for the people who remain there.  Chronic Mountain Sickness (CMS) is a serious high-altitude condition affecting millions worldwide—yet little was known about its impact in Ladakh until now. In the largest study ever conducted in the region, our team from the Ladakh Institute of Prevention and A Thousand Metres Above Foundation surveyed nearly 400 residents living between 4000–5000m. The results were striking: CMS affects 30% overall, and nearly 60% in the highest altitude region of Rubsho. These findings, presented at the International Conference on Emergency Medicine (ICEM) 2025 in Montreal, shed new light on how altitude, lifestyle, and environment intersect—and why Ladakh’s high-altitude communities need tailored strategies to manage this hidden health threat. More information and detailed report can be found here.  On Sept 5th, 2024, we held a medical outreach clinic in the village of Matho, approximately 30min away from Leh. Matho is a large village of 200 households and we were hosted by the village council and the King of Matho for this camp. In all we were able to provide comprehensive medical assessments and treatments for almost 50 people in the village. Many suffer from non-communicable, lifestyle diseases that are exacerbated by living at high altitude and in extreme temperatures. The team worked tirelessly for over 12 hours to make sure all the high-needs patients in the village were seen and cared for. As with all ATMA-LIP medical outreach camps this work wouldn't happen without your support! ATMA Team In Aug-Sep 2024 we hosted an ATMA-LIP Mobile Medical Clinic in the northern part of the Nubra Valley in Ladakh, India. This beautiful region is nestled in the eastern Karakoram range, just a few kilometres south of the Siachen Glacier, which forms the boundary between India, Pakistan and China. This camp was well attended and we were able to help almost 100 people during this time! As with all ATMA-LIP clinics, patients received medical assessments, lab tests, diagnostics such as focused echocardiogram, limited abdominal ultrasound, ECG, and any required medications - free of charge! We were hosted by the Thongsted village elders and we thank them for their hospitality. We're proud to work with Dr. Norboo and the Ladakh Institute of Prevention team to provide high quality primary care and public health work in some of the most remote parts of the Himalayas. As with all our work in the Himalayas, none of this would happen without your support. Thanks to everyone that has been a part of this journey since 2012. If you're interested in making a small donation please go to the Donate page. Any amount helps. :) ATMA Team Here at ATMA we're excited to launch the ATMA Shop! At the Shop we sell paintings collected from local artists around the world. Like everything at ATMA, we strive to be as ethical and efficient as possible when it comes to donations, therefore, 100% of what you pay for the paintings goes towards development projects around the world. Our cost for the paintings is absorbed from the ATMA Board, which means your money goes even further.
If you're interested in purchasing a painting please reach out by the Contact form! Indy |
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August 2026
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