Indian American physicians urge Indian government to appoint expert panel on preventive medicine and primary care
The 15th edition of the annual Global Healthcare Summit organized by the American Association of Physicians of Indian Origin (AAPI) USA concluded with a renewed commitment to continue efforts for preventive healthcare in India.
The three-day Jan 5-7 summit in Hyderabad, India also offered to collaborate with the federal, state and local governments, healthcare and technological industries, as well as with several not for profit organizations to help India make health delivery accessible, affordable and efficient.
Read: AAPI to host Global Healthcare Summit 2022 in Hyderabad (December 2, 2021)
The summit has also recommended possible ways to plan and implement preventive medicine that will save resources and precious human lives,” AAPI President Dr. Anupama Gotimukula said.
It gave physician leaders from the United States and India an opportunity to brainstorm and explore ways to focus on the theme ‘transformation of healthcare through tele-health and technology usage during this post-Covid era,’ she said
While offering to collaborate with government authorities, AAPI also urged the Indian government to appoint an expert panel of nationally recognized experts in the disciplines of preventive medicine and primary care, according to an AAPI press release.
“With the changing trends and statistics in healthcare, both in India and US, we are refocusing our mission and vision,” Dr. Gotimukula said. “AAPI will continue to make a positive meaningful impact on the healthcare delivery system both in the US and in India.”
India’s National Medical Commission (NMC) which regulates medical education and medical professionals in the country has informed the World Federation of Medical Education (WFME) of its intent to be the national agency for accreditation of all the medical colleges in India,” she announced.
Indian Vice President Venkaiah Naidu inaugurated GHS 2022 on Jan 5 with a virtual address to hundreds of participants from the United States and India due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
“With numerous initiatives, AAPI has come a long way since its inception and has proved to be beneficial not only to Indian-origin American Physicians, but to Indian healthcare as well,” Naidu observed.
“As you seek excellence in human health and well-being, do not forget the power of a kind human touch when treating your patients,” he advised the medical fraternity.
Noting that Indian origin physicians in the US have gained a formidable reputation, Naidu said, “They are among the most successful ambassadors of India’s value systems.”
He complimented AAPI for its services in India, for raising $5 million during the second wave of the pandemic, for its ‘Adopt a Village’ program and its other initiatives.
In her opening remarks, Dr. Udaya Shivangi, Chair of AAPI GHS 2022, said the summit “promised to be one with the greatest impact and significant contributions towards harnessing the power of international Indian diaspora to bring the most innovative, efficient, cost effective healthcare solutions to India.”
Dr. Ravi Kolli, President-Elect of AAPI stressed the need to focus on the rising levels of obesity, mental illness, addictions, age-related conditions like dementia, and a growing, ageing, and diverse populations.
“We also need to be aware of cyberbullying, pervasive misinformation and other harmful social media influences affecting our youth,” he said.
AAPI is collaborating with Global Teleclinics (GTC) to carry out this project in five states including Andhra Pradesh, Gujarat, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu and Telangana,” said Dr. Satheesh Kathula, Secretary of AAPI.
It will be expanded to other states in India eventually. The tests will include CBC, HbA1C, lipid profile, creatinine, pulse oximetry, measurement of blood pressure, height and weight.
About 150-200 people are screened in each village in one day. There is an opportunity to screen a total of up to 15,000 people in 75 villages across 5 states, Kathula said.
“AAPI is here 365 days a year with the launch of the AAPI India Foundation,” said Dr. Lokesh Edara, Chair, AAPI Global Education Committee and AAPI Board of Trustee.
Read: AAPI’s 15th Annual Global Healthcare Summit In Hyderabad concludes: To focus on preventive healthcare in India (January 8, 2022)
CME sessions, workshops on medical education and reforms in India, psychiatry, palliative care and diabetes, seminar on lifestyle medicine led noted founder of life style medicine, Dr. Neil Bernard, and the Women’s Forum were among the highlights of the summit.
The CEO Forum, chaired by Dr. Joseph Chalil had a number of CEOs from India and the United States, who shared their insights into the challenges and opportunities for making healthcare affordable, using modern technology and scientific research.
The next edition of the Global Healthcare Summit 2023 will be held in Vishakapatnam in Andhra Pradesh in the first week of January 2023, Kolli announced.