India praises contributions of physicians from around the world at 13th annual GAPIO conference

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Gandhinagar: The global exchange of information and best practices in health would be best achieved in cooperation with doctors around the world, India’s Minister of Health said at the 13^th annual conference of the Global Association of Physicians of Indian Origin (GAPIO) which took place Feb. 11-12, 2023, in Gandhinagar, Gujarat.

More than 500 doctors from 57 countries, including doctors of Indian origin practicing in the United States, the UK, and Australia among others, attended.

“The healthcare sector in India and across the world is going through transformative changes, especially after the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic,” Dr Mansukh Mandaviya, India’s Minister of Health & Family Welfare and Chemicals & Fertilizers, Government of India, said at the opening session.  “Indian doctors practicing anywhere in the world have created a name for themselves. In order to further strengthen the healthcare system of the country, exchange of knowledge and information amongst doctors about global best practices is key.”

Chief Minister of Gujarat Bhupendra Patel said, “While India has successfully come out of the shadows of the COVID-19 pandemic, there are greater challenges ahead in the healthcare sector due to the growing burden of non-communicable diseases such as cancer, heart diseases, and diabetes. The way forward is to provide innovative solutions which are also cost-effective and can be availed by all sections of society. Doctors have a significant role in coming up with these solutions and serving mankind.”

Founder President of GAPIO and Chairman Apollo Hospitals Group Dr. Prathap C. Reddy, said “The spirit of the physicians of Indian origin to excel in India and overseas is what we are striving to recognize. Their laudable efforts and path breaking work across the globe has made every Indian proud. The awardees’ exemplary work is an inspiration for others to emulate.”

Dr Anupam Sibal, outgoing president of GAPIO and Group Medical Director, Apollo Hospitals Group, and Senior Consultant Pediatric Gastroenterologist and Hepatologist, said, “GAPIO provides a platform to doctors of Indian origin practicing anywhere in the world to share their knowledge and exchange ideas on clinical skill development, solutions to contemporary health issues, and modernizing the approach to delivering healthcare.”

Dr Nandakumar Jairam, incoming president of GAPIO said, “Research and innovation can improve the delivery of quality healthcare in India to the last mile. As the country braces to overcome its myriad health challenges, this conference will help identify methodologies most suitable to skill and scale the healthcare workforce in the country.”

Dr Sudhir Parikh, vice president of GAPIO and Chairman and Publisher of Parikh World Wide Media and ITV Gold 24×7 TV Channel in United States commented, “With our presence among 57 countries, GAPIO is committed to its vision of Improving Health Worldwide. GAPIO serves to establish collaborations, bringing 1.4 million physicians of Indian origin under one umbrella platform. In the coming year, our activities will be enhanced to build a stronger well connected physician community.”

Dr Ramesh Mehta, past president of BAPIO (British Association of Physicians of Indian Origin) and Past President GAPIO, said, “The conference has gone beyond discussing hard-core medical specialities. Other important issues discussed such as tragedy of avoidable childhood blindness: What GAPIO can do? The evolution of Genomics: Reaching beyond the unseen, Climate change and its impact on human health, Navigating Change and Preparing for the Future – The Nursing perspective, Reversal of NCD’s, LEADS for healthcare in India, Leadership mantras, Women in Medicines make this conference really unique.”

Dr Sanku Rao, Past President, GAPIO expressed his happiness about the academic component of this conference. With around 500+ delegates, many doctors attending virtually and having more than 150 faculty members from all over the world including USA, UK, Australia and India, the conference is truly labelled as “Global” he noted.

Over two days, physicians discussed public health and the latest innovations in cardiac sciences, neurosciences, nephrology, oncology, kidney and liver transplants, gastroenterology, nutrition, and nursing among others.

A dedicated session on the use of robotics and artificial intelligence was also held. It focused on colorectal surgery, pushing the envelope by complex myomectomy with robotics, robotic upper CI surgery benefits, robotic arthroplasty, AI in cardiac disorders, artificial intelligence simplified, the role of robotics in thoracic surgery, and established and evolving indication of proton therapy in the Indian context.

During the conference, winners of the Annual GAPIO Awards to Indian physicians for noteworthy contributions to the field of medicine were also announced.

Award winners in the distinguished category:

• GAPIO Lifetime Achievement Award: Prof. Dhavendra Kumar, Spire Cardiff Hospital, UK
• Prathap C Reddy Philanthropy Award: Dr Rayapu Ramesh Babu, Blood Donors Organization for Social Service, Tirupati
• IA Modi Award: Prof. Ajay Kumar Duseja, PGIMER, Chandigarh
• GAPIO Surgical Excellence Award: Prof. Devendra Kumar Gupta, AIIMS, New Delhi
• GAPIO Excellence in Diagnostic Award: Prof. Anita Borges, SL Raheja Hospital, Mumbai
• GAPIO Excellence in Radiology/ Radiation Therapy Award: Prof. Akshay Kumar Saxena, PGIMER, Chandigarh

Award winners in the Young Category:

• Dr IA Modi Award: Dr Sanjith Saseedharan, SL Raheja Hospital, Mumbai
• GAPIO Surgical Excellence Award: Dr. Saurabh Jain, MGMMC, Indore
• GAPIO Excellence in Diagnostic Award: Dr. Tushar Sehgal, AIIMS, New Delhi
• GAPIO Excellence in Radiology/ Radiation Therapy Award: Dr. Chandrashekhara S H, AIIMS, New Delhi

Established in 2011, GAPIO aims to bring 1.4 million physicians of Indian origin across the world under one professional platform.  Members belong to various medical specialties and super specialties, and several are recipients of distinguished awards.