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Indian American physicians raising funds, distributing masks, personal protective equipment.
With no effective remedy or vaccination available yet to fight the coronavirus epidemic, the American Physicians of Indian Origin (AAPI), has written to President Donald Trump, state governors and lawmakers to launch a plasma drive.
As convalescent plasma appears to be the promising treatment for Covid patients, AAPI itself has launched a plasma drive from patients who have been cured of covid-19, according to a media release.
“There is enormous anxiety and numerous questions among general public about the pandemic and the havoc it’s creating,” said Dr. Suresh Reddy, President of AAPI, the largest ethnic medical organization in the US.
“In the past few week, AAPI has taken several initiatives to educate its members and the public, and to provide much needed help and support through helping obtain much needed PPEs and distributing them to medical institutions around the country,” he said.
AAPI has created three separate committees on convalescent plasma treatment.
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“An official letter of recommendation on convalescent plasma therapy from AAPI has been sent to President Donald Trump, state governors and to all members of US Congress and senators,” said Dr. Sudhakar Jonnalagadda, President-Elect of AAPI.
AAPI’s covid plasma government policies committee headed by Dr. Dalsukh Madia is writing letters to political leaders to encourage individuals and medical facilities to harness this much needed resource.
AAPI’s covid plasma local hospital administrators committee chaired by Dr Binod Sinha will contact hospital administrators for the policy implementation in all the hospitals in the country.
AAPI’s covid plasma collection committee led by Dr. Madhavi Gorusu is responsible for coordinating with the Red Cross and other agencies to work with plasma donations and donors.
Responding to the national/world-wide shortage of masks and other personal protective equipment, AAPI, has raised funds, donated money, purchased and donated masks to several medical institutions across the US.
AAPI is requesting physicians to participate in and run covid helpline. Those interested may contact Dr. Jayesh Shah, chair of covid online helpline. Email: covidhelpline@aapiusa.org
“We urge the authorities to provide the much needed equipment, testing and facilities enabling patients with covid-19 to be isolated and treated, which will reduce our healthcare workforce at precisely the time we need them to be healthy and treating patients,” Reddy added.
For more information on AAPI and its several initiatives to combat coronavirus and help fellow physicians and the larger community, visit: www.aapiusa.org, or email to: aapicovidplasmadonor@gmail.com