AAPI’s 18th Global Healthcare Summit focusses on prevention strategies, lifestyle changes, and incorporating technology   

- ADVERTISEMENT -

New Delhi, India:  October 21st, 2024 –  The American Association of Physicians of Indian Origin, AAPI, held its 18th Global Healthcare Summit (GHS 2024) October 19-20, 2024 in New Delhi.

Dozens of Physician leaders of Indian origin came together at the Le Meridien Hotel in the Indian capital, a press release from AAPI said.

“It is with great pride and excitement that I welcome you all to the 18th AAPI Global Healthcare Summit in New Delhi,” Dr. Satheesh Kathula, president of AAPI, is quoted saying at the inauguration, “This year we gather under the important and timely theme of preventing cancer and heart attacks through lifestyle modifications and technology in a world where chronic diseases like cancer and cardiovascular illnesses continue to pose significant health threats, where corrective mission has never been more urgent.”

“AAPI has been engaged in harnessing the power of Indian Diaspora to bring the most innovative, efficient, cost-effective healthcare and preventable solutions to India, Dr. Kathula said.

Health Minister of India, Dr. Jagat Prakash Nadda delivered a video address on national prevention strategies. Dr. Nadda acknowledged that the world is staring at two most critical health challenges, cancer and cardiac diseases. “With aging population, changes in lifestyle and increasing urbanization, the incidence of cancer and cardiovascular diseases, particularly heart attacks, are on the rise,” he said, giving an account of what the Government of India was doing about the challenges.

He acknowledged the role of AAPI in exchanging experiences and knowledge, adding,  “Together, we can harness the power of innovation and lifestyle modification to safety, frequently, reduce the burden of cancer and heart diseases, not only in India but across the globe. I thank AAPI for organizing the Global Healthcare Summit in India, wishing the summit a grand success.”

The CME sessions by eminent physicians from India and abroad offered a unique perspectives on prevention strategies for cancer and heart attacks, role of lifestyle changes, and the integration of technology into healthcare.

In India, for the inaugural year, AAPI announced it is honoring three eminent physicians and administrators – Dr. Rakesh Sharma, Dr. Bhasnji Kundaria, and Dr. Raman Kumar.

Dr. Sunil Kaza, chair of AAPI BOT, noted the changes since the first healthcare summit in 2007 which, he said, provided “a forum for innovative opportunities for learning, networking and giving back to our motherland that have now enabled us to plan ahead and prepare for an outstanding event that will be over 300 very prominent and talented physicians and surgeons from abroad, in addition to the hundreds of physicians from India, who are very passionate about serving their homeland, mother India,”

According to Dr. Anjali Gulati, Convener of GHS 2024, “AAPI rapidly expands its vision for India – in educational research, clinical programs, global outreach and a tie-up with the Indian Government on healthcare programs. GHS 2024 offered a unique forum for physicians of Indian origin to come together, share their knowledge and expertise in their respective medical fields with their fellow physicians from around the world, and to learn from one another.”

For the first time ever, AAPI delegates had an opportunity to visit to the Rashtrapati Bhavan, the Presidential Palace of India in New Delhi. The AAPI delegates also visited the world famous Swaminarayan Akshardham at New Delhi.

Fashion Show and live entertainment by Preeti Bhalla took the AAPI delegates back to the 1960s and ‘70s.

The Poster and Research Contest in which more than 70 Medical students and Fellows from across the nation participated gave the new generation of Indian medical students to show their talents, skills and commitment to medical education.

President-Elect of AAPI Dr. Amit Chakrabarty, said, “AAPI has a mandate to help disseminate our medical knowledge, our expertise and technological advances to the rest of the world, and to India in particular. Headquartered in Chicago, AAPI has come to be recognized as a strong voice in the healthcare legislation and policy arena.”

“With the changing trends and statistics in healthcare, both in India and US, we are refocusing our mission and vision of GHS 2024, AAPI would like to make a positive meaningful impact on the healthcare in India,” Dr. Kathula said.

Dr. Kathula expressed his appreciation for the collaboration and support  by Dr. Sunil Karza, Chair AAPI BOT, Dr. Lokesh Edara, past BOT Chair of AAPI, Dr. Anjali Gulati, GHS Convener, Dr. Manmeet Ahluwalia, Dr. Brahma SDharma, Dr. Amit Govil and Dr. Hetal Gor. He called out Dr. Shubham Anand, the Organizing Secretary of GHS 2024 and his dedicated team from India for their generous support and taking this opportunity to make GHS a memorable event for all. Dr. Soumya Neravetla eloquently emceed the Summit.

Amit Chakrabarty, President-Elect of AAPI said, the current President of India, Droupadi Murmu suggested to have AAPI’s collaboration in sponsoring a TB Free Tribal India initiative. This will be led by Dr. Manoj Jain. The Diabetes related efforts are being led by Dr. Smitha Joshi. The Ayurveda Consortium is being led by Dr. Amit Shah, Dr. Artin Prasad, and Dr. Dilip Sarkar. Dr. Chakrabarty invited AAPI members to participate at the 19^th edition of AAPI’s Global Healthcare Summit with focus on Tuberculosis, Ayurveda, and Diabetes, which will be held in Bhubaneshwar, Orissa from January 9-11, 2026.

For more information on Global Health Summit 2024, visit https://aapisummit.org