Indian Union Health Minister Dr Harsh Vardhan announced special support from the government to NRI physicians willing to return to India and provide healthcare to needy patients during a health summit in Hyderabad yesterday.
Organised by the American Association of Physicians of Indian Origin (AAPI) that comprises more than 160 member associations, the 13th annual Global Healthcare Summit (GHS) 2019 was held to discuss ways in which over 100,000 physicians of Indian origin in the US can interact with and benefit India.
Acknowledging that there is a dichotomy in India, which is a huge challenge for the government and its more than a billion people, Dr Vardhan said that “even as we grow economically to be a powerful nation, healthcare is a huge challenge. There is an urgent need to enhance healthcare delivery in India.”
During his address, Dr Harsh Vardhan presented an overview of the healthcare needs of the country and suggested several areas where AAPI could collaborate with the government of India. He added, “We are optimistic about making a positive change in the health scenario of India, where we are seeking to have a high quality, affordable healthcare to all of our citizens.”
Speaking at the summit, Dr Suresh Reddy, president of AAPI, said, “The GHS offers an opportunity to meet directly with these physicians who are leaders in their fields and play an integral part in the decision-making process regarding new products and services.”
In his introductory welcome address, Dr Ajay Lodha, former president of AAPI, reminded the audience of some of the summit’s successes including establishing free medical care clinics across India, medical camps, and establishing of India-centric guidelines for management of Hepatitis C, brain injury and trauma.
The three-day event began with the inaugural address by Honorable Shri Venkiah Naidu, India’s Vice President, and had as many as 300 participants from India and abroad attending the annual summit.