Press Conference by Global Association of Physicians of Indian Origin (GAPIO) at Apollo Hospitals

Global Association of Physicians of Indian Origin (GAPIO) brings together leading medical experts from India and across the globe

Hyderabad, January 6th 2017: The 7th Annual conference of the Global Association of Physicians of Indian Origin (GAPIO) will be held on 7th and 8th January at Park Hyatt, Hyderabad. The theme of this two day conference is "Diabetes - The Giant killer" and "Innovations in Medicine! "Over 74 renowned national and international experts from India, USA, UK, Australia, Canada, Singapore and UAE have confirmed participation in this conference.

It is estimated that there are 1.2 million physicians of Indian origin working in India and other parts of the world. Dr. Prathap C Reddy, Founder President and Chairman of Apollo Hospitals said, "GAPIO now has representation from 33 countries. GAPIO's vision is to "Improve Health Worldwide". GAPIO stands to empower physicians of Indian origin to achieve highest professional standards, to provide affordable good quality healthcare, to contribute to local and regional cqmmunity development and thereby help to reduce health inequalities and alleviate suffering globally".

"The Annual Conference of GAPIO will attract 400 to 500 medical experts. Key opinion leader from across the world will deliberate on Cardio Vascular Diseases, Metabolic Disorders, Brain Trauma - Kidney, Oncology, Rheumatology, Gastro Intestinal Disorders, Paediatrics, Robotic Surgery, Mental Health, Global Health Care, Emerging Healthcare Challenges," said Dr Sanku Surender Rao, President GAPIO and a practicing gastroenterologist from USA.

"Out of 1.2 million Indian doctors working globally, 300,000 are overseas with 50,000 in the UK. We are trying to leverage their expertise to India, "said Dr Ramesh Mehta, President - Elect, GAPIO and President of British Association of Physicians or Indian Origin (BAPIO)."This conference will aim to strengthen engagement of physicians of Indian origin from across the globe who are experts in their fields with vast experience and have the potential to change the healthcare scenario in India," he added.

According to Dr. Anupam Sibal, Vice President Elect, GAPIO "This substantial workforce of physicians of Indian origin is a valuable resource, which can help to mobilize significant developments in the healthcare field in India and globally. The strong diaspora of Indian doctors working in USA, UK, Canada, Australia, Middle East, South East Asia, Africa and the Caribbean, who are highly respected and powerful, need a common professional platform and GAPIO aims to provide this very platform".

Dr. Sudhir Parikh - Treasurer said, "GAPIO has assisted in creation of a web portal known as Swaasth India (www.swaasthindia.gov.in) in collaboration with MOH Government of India, BAPIO and AAPI. This was launched by Hon'ble Union Minister of Health and Family Welfare Government of India on 28th June 2014 at San Antonio, Texas, USA. Government of India has accorded the Swaasth India web portal as a Government of India official website. This portal is now acting as matchmaking site where Government of India and State Governments are posting their requirements and Indian Medical Diaspora is viewing and applying for the same".

"This is an annual event which brings together physicians of Indian origin from across the globe to interact and share learnings with each other. It provides a road map for the activities of GAPIO towards improving the health of the community," said Dr. Nandakumar Jairam, Secretary General - Elect, GAPIO.

GAPIO was formed in January 2011 to bring doctors of Indian origin together from all over the world under one umbrella organization.

Over the years, several programs have been organized to help the community. A free Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery Camp was held at Bilaspur where 105 surgeries were performed.

First in the series of GAPIO charitable clinics, a multispecialty GAPIO Charitable clinic was inaugurated in Secunderabad.
A team of doctors from GAPIO lead by Dr. V K Raju ophthalmologist from USA held an eye screening camp at Aragonda.
GAPIO in collaboration with Global Health and Education (GHE), USA has organised, 6 Free Health Screening Camps at Sawaimadhopur, Rajasthan in October 2016. These camps were second in the series of camps held in these areas in the year 2015 with the aim to follow-up those detected to be high risk patients for blood pressure and diabetes.

GAPIO conferences have in the past been held at New Delhi, Hyderabad, Cochin, Kolkata, Chandigarh and Bangalore in India; at California and New Jersey in the USA; at Birmingham and Leicester in the UK, at Sydney in Australia and Moscow, Russian Federation.

Some of the renowned international faculty include - Dr. Om Ganda, Joslin Centre, USA; Dr. Brahma N Sharma, Dr. Surendra K Varma and Dr. V K Raju from USA. Dr. Parul Shah, Dr. Gautam Bodiwala, Dr. NeerajBhala, Dr.Amitava Banerjee and Dr. J S Bamrah from UK, Dr.ArunGarg from Canada.

About GAPIO: It is estimated that there are 1.2 million physicians of Indian Origin working in India and other countries of the world. There are 125,500 Physicians of Indian Origin working in the English speaking Western world (USA, UK, Australia and Canada combined), with the major constituent being from USA and UK. Between 10-30% of the physicians working in USA, UK, Canada and Australia have their roots in India.

There are also significant number of Indian Physicians working in Middle East, South East Asia and Africa. This substantial workforce of physicians is a valuable resource, which can help to mobilize significant developments in the health field globally. This strong Diaspora of Indian doctors who are highly respected and powerful, need a common professional platform.
The idea of GAPIO was originally conceived in January 2009 at Chennai between Dr. Prathap C Reddy, Dr. Sanku Rao, Dr. Ramesh Mehta & Mr. Anwar Feroz. With further discussions it was decided to formally set up Global Association of Physicians of Indian Origin (GAPIO). GAPIO was constituted in 2011 under the Societies Registration Act, 1860.

There is a need for greater visibility and cohesion of these physicians. Their combined intellectual and technical strength can also be a vital force in the development of the Indian healthcare sector. It is with these objectives that Global Association of Physicians of Indian Origin (GAPIO) has been formed. This body will have representation from all the countries where physicians of Indian origin are settled.

GAPIO is a nonprofit organization and its vision is "Improving Health Worldwide". GAPIO stands to empower physicians of Indian origin to achieve highest professional standards, to provide affordable good quality healthcare, to contribute to local and regional community development and thereby help to reduce health inequalities and alleviate suffering globally.