Indian-American doctors pledge to improve India`s health care

Lalit K Jha
Washington, June 13 (PTI) Indian-American physicians
pledged here to work to improve the health care system in
India by entering into partnership with their counterparts in
the country and its government, which they said would be their
contribution to their motherland.

The Indian-American doctors, who participated the 27th
annual convention of the American Association of Physicians of
Indian Origin (AAPI) on Friday, said it is time that they make
their collective efforts to ensure that basic health care
facilities - the best of the world - is accessible and
affordable to the poorest of the poor in the country.

Even as some of them shared some of their bitter
experiences of trying to launch various projects in this
regard in India, AAPI leaders said they were determined to
work in this regard despite hurdles.

The leaders said they would vigorously pursue the annual
Indo-US Health Care summit they had launched two years ago to
channelise their efforts to this effect.

"India is a very difficult place to work, because it
takes a long time," acknowledged Dr Navin Shah, a former AAPI
president.

Sharing his own experience of trying to implement
projects related to infectious diseases and trauma care, Shah
asked his fellow Indian American physicians to have patience
in their endeavour.

"Put the best of America there. Let us do major thing. It
is not difficult. Persistence and of course, contacts, and
dedication is important. Whether it is AAPI or individual,
let's pull all together, and do something good for our
motherland," Dr Shah said.

The incoming AAPI president, Dr Vinod Shah, who is
running a few health care projects in India's western state of
Gujarat said there is desire among the Indian-American doctors
to "give back" what they have achieved here.

"If we communicate, take steps and re-energise and take
town after town, village after village, I think we can do very
meaningful work back home," he said.

Observing that the back home Indian health care system or
Indian doctors usually have negative approach to any foreign
doctor or foreign health system, another physician urged AAPI
to take the lead in reforming medical education in India,
including residency program. PTI