Recognizing that the high cost of treating disease is one of the main factors behind poverty, the Tibet autonomous region is providing support for people who suffer from severe diseases and making this help a key element in the region's poverty alleviation work, in addition to resettlement.

Most resettlement projects address the problems related to living at an extremely high altitude — places unsuitable for human. But a particular resettlement project in Tsachukha village of Lhasa's Damshung county is directly helping families deal with medical concerns.

With an investment of more than 96 million yuan ($14 million), the project consists of more than 600 people in 150 households which were moved from Ngari prefecture and the cities of Nagchu and Chamdo.

Dekyi Pedron, an official of the village, said that of the residents who were relocated to Tsachukha in 2017, 204 had arthritis and have been receiving medical treatment over the last three years free of charge from professional Tibetan doctors.

"At a lower altitude and with better public services, the new location can better support their health requirements," Dekyi Pedron said. "They can get medical help easily from the Tibetan herbal bath therapy site in their village."

The village is located near a natural hot spring, which is believed to help with conditions such as arthritis, she said.

Wangdrak, a resident of the village, said he enjoys living in the new location because of the public health, education and transportation services available.

"Before, my family lived in a nomadic area where the average altitude is 5,000 meters above the sea level. My wife suffered from severe arthritis," said Wangdrak.

"She could not walk normally a year ago, but her situation has improved dramatically in recent years thanks to the care provided here. She can see a doctor and get medicine at almost any time, and she gets massages, acupuncture and herbal baths."

Now she can not only walk but can also work. And she operates a small grocery store from home, he said.