Physician Scientist - American Association of Physicians of Indian ...

AAPI Journal • June 2009
President’s Message
Continued from page 4
The meeting’s aim was bringing
together caring and dedicated
physicians from all the three
countries to focus on six disease
states – Asthma and Allergy, Heart
Diseases, Diabetes, Infectious
Diseases, Maternal & Child Health
and Mental Health. All 6 break-out
sessions were done where the US &
British Delegates working with their
Indian counterparts on six disease
states. The summit concluded with
the summary of recommendations
from each of the disease states.
Follow up with the chairs and cochairs
are being planned so that our
goals are achieved. Chairs & cochairs
are all working to present
their recommendations at the June
annual convention.
The strategic planning committee
had its own session and will draw its
action plan for the next five years
and give recommendations on
which AAPI will act.
AAPI delegation met the Chief
Minister of New Delhi, Honorable
Mrs. Sheila Dixit and was informed
about our activities and goals. The
Chief Minister was very gracious to
offer office space in New Delhi for
AAPI to have a local presence in
Delhi.
On January 5th, I met with Chief
Minister of Andhra Pradesh Dr. Y.S.
Rajasekhara Reddy and updated him
regarding the Health Summit and
the need to implement the rural
health care initiative. At the press
conference on the afternoon of the
5th, AAPI, along with Andhra
Pradesh Medical Graduates (APMG),
outlined our vision in implementing
the rural healthcare in Andhra
Pradesh.
Pravasi Bharatiya Divas:
The Ministry of Overseas Indian
Affairs (MOIA) in partnership with
the State Government of Tamil Nadu
and the Confederation of Indian
Industry, (CII) organized the Pravasi
Bharatiya Divas at Chennai Trade
Center, Chennai, India from January
7-9, 2009. AAPI delegation was
invited for the event. I was one of
the panelists for the session ‘Health
for All: Role of Diaspora’ chaired by
Dr. Anbumani Ramdoss, Union
Health Minister of India. During my
talk I highlighted about AAPI goals
and its role in improving healthcare
in India through 17 free health
clinics which are funded by AAPICF.
I also met with Chief Minister of
Gujarat, Mr. Narendra Modi. Mr.
Modi requested to send a proposal
on AAPI’s rural healthcare project in
the State of Gujarat.
Global Association of Physicians of
Indian Origin (GAPIO):
The world’s first comprehensive
healthcare organization is named
Global Association of Physicians of
Indian Origin (GAPIO) and was
launched by Government of India at
the Pravasi Bharatiya Divas in
Chennai, India. This global
consortium of healthcare
professionals consists of
international medical practicing
physicians including AAPI, CAPIH
and BAPIO. The consortium will
promote the contribution of
approximately 1.2 million physicians
and dentists of Indian origin to
global health and to harness their
skills and expertise to address
healthcare issues in India.
Enrollment is free of charge.
Chair: Dr. Pratap Reddy
Vice Chairs: Dr. Sanku Rao (AAPI)
and Dr. Ramesh Mehta (BAPIO)
Advisers: Anwar Feroz & Haresh
Kaneriya.
Trip to Israel:
I visited Israel at the invitation of
the AJC (American Jewish
Committee) and had the opportunity
to see first hand their National
disaster management program, MDA
(Magen David Adom), which is one
of the best in the world. The
Director of MDA was able to
interact one on one and he extended
his support to AAPI to help develop
a similar program for disaster
management in India. I also visited
the children’s hospital in Tel Aviv
where they were performing cardiac
surgery for children from around the
world at almost no cost.
AAPI CME:
This year’s first CME program was
held on a Greek Islands cruise from
September 21 to 28, 2008. Three
sessions were organized with
speakers of high caliber and topics
and were well chosen. The CME was
well done and everyone enjoyed the
visit to Greek Islands.
The second CME program was
held in Goa from December 28th –
January 1st. The CME was very well
done with interesting sessions on
‘Hypertension and Cardio Metabolic
Syndrome’, ‘Impaired Medical
Students and Physicians’, ‘Neglected
Bladder’ etc. Dr. Nasir Khan did a
phenomenal job in putting the CME
together. Dr. Ram Gopal is also
instrumental in this well organized
CME. The participants enjoyed the
visit to Goa.
Continued on page 6
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