Reaching the Heart of the Taiga: Dr. Boldsaikhan's Expedition to the Rainbow Village

The fall of 2019 marked the initiation of an ambitious, large-scale expedition to provide check-ups for remote villages like Tsagaatanii Otog in East Taiga, Tsagaan-Nuur Soum of Khuvsgul Province. The journey required traversing rough terrain, from car travel to horseback crossings of rivers, ultimately reaching the heart of East Taiga. With dedication, the team conducted comprehensive check-ups for children and adults, identifying two adults in need of further surgical follow-ups.

Notably, Mrs. Buyandelger, the younger sister of Tsagaan Ganbat Zairan, returned for a follow-up surgery. Initially, the Tsaatans, known as "rainbow people," had modest expectations as they saw only stethoscopes. However, Mrs. Buyandelger's return brought a transformation, with word-of-mouth stories circulating from East to West Taiga. Her joy in regaining her health to spend a winter in the Taiga was palpable.

In a significant development, a 62-year-old woman from West Taiga underwent a major heart surgery and now enjoys excellent health. Although they didn't qualify for the "Heart Remembers" project (which serves those aged 18 and under), two Tsaatan youngsters received full sponsorship for their treatment costs, generously provided by Dr. Boldsaikhan's classmate, Battsengel, who lives and works in Poland.