GAPIO to bring overseas doctors on one platform
SILCHAR, January 12: 300 doctors from 22 countries assembled at Kolkata to participate in a two day Global Association of Physicians of Indian Origin (GAPIO) International Conference that began from yesterday to discuss solutions in health worldwide. This event, as pointed out by Rupali Basu, CEO, Apollo Gleneagles, aims at deliberating measures which can be taken with the help of Indian doctors working in India and overseas for better health care delivery across the globe. According to her, GAPIO was envisaged by Dr. Prathap Chandra Reddy, Chairman of Apollo Hospitals Group and the outgoing President of GAPIO, Past President, American Association of Physicians of Indian Origin and Dr. Ramesh Mehta, President, British Association of Physicians of Indian Origin in January 2011 to bring doctors of Indian origin together from all over the world under one umbrella organization. GAPIO was launched to bring together 1.2 million physicians of Indian origin in the world on one professional platform. This substantial work force of physicians is a valuable resource, which can help to mobilize significant developments in the healthcare globally. GAPIO has representation from 21 countries.
Revealing this at a press–conference at Kolkata held yesterday in which The Sentinel along with the media–persons from different parts of India and Bangladesh were invited, Rupali Basu said in order to provide cost effective treatment to marginalized people, GAPIO has entered into an agreement with the Government of India.
Dr. Prathap Chandra Reddy, who has played the key role of a true leader in changing the health scenario in India and overseas is the key figure behind this conference which shall focus on the theme “The Non Communicable Diseases Epidemic–––Meeting the Challenges.” Dr Reddy said patients between the age of 28–40 years from North Eastern States, Jharkhand and Bihar are coming for treatment at Apollo Gleneagles and their number is on the rise which has become a matter of serious concern. The patients are mostly with strokes, heart attack, kidney problem, cancer, liver disease and diabetes. It was all due to irregular life style, smoking, addiction to alcohol and tobacco consumption. He advised that besides morning walks, swimming, physiotherapy as well as music therapy and games and sports, they should avoid all sorts of addictions and consumption of junk food as well. One should be active and engaged in creative and constructive works for better and healthier living.
Dr Ramesh Mehta, Vice–President of GAPIO, based at UK, has joined the Association. He said around 10,000 doctors of Indian origin have gone on retirement in UK and are returning to their country for joining the health care mission. Around 200 of them will be undergoing training in Apollo Hospital in order to equip themselves with the working conditions and all about the health care mechanism to render their best of services to patients.
Dr. Sanku Rao from USA and the incoming President of GAPIO said GAPIO is a non–profit organization and its vision is “Improving Health Worldwide.” GAPIO has embarked upon India’s First Integrated Comprehensive Health Scheme called “Total Health” which was launched on October 27, 2013, at Aragonda village of Thavanampalle Mandal of Chittoor district.
Dr. Sanku Rao further said that GAPIO has started a web portal known as swaasthindia.com in collaboration with AAPI (USA) and BAPIO (UK) to provide essential healthcare services at various locations in India with the help of doctors from India and overseas. This site will act as matchmaking portal where Government of India (GOI) and State Governments can post their requirements and Indian Medical Diaspora can view and apply for the same. SK Rao, Joint Secretary, Ministry of Health and Family Welfare has assured to take it to the hosting stage by January 15, 2014. Secretary MOHFW, Government of India, has accorded in principle agreement to have the Swaasth site as a GOI website.
