Indian Physicians and surgeons contribute immensely to the health and well-being of the world in various countries. “We are spread over several countries, but we have a common thread in the sense of our upbringing and our education,” said Dr. Nandakumar Jairam during his recent interview with ITV Gold. Jairam is the President of the Global Association of Physicians of Indian Origin (GAPIO), former chair and CEO, and group medical director for Columbia Asia Hospitals in India.
During his recent interview with ITV Gold, he outlined the history of the forming of GAPIO, of its goals and activities, and its upcoming annual conference January 18 and 19 later this month in Mysore, India.
A desire to promote camaraderie and exchange of knowledge and experience among physicians around the world led Dr. Prathap Reddy of the Apollo group in India to form GAPIO, said Jairam.
Beside Reddy, the history of GAPIO’s initial leadership involved Dr. Sanku Surender Rao and Dr. Sudhir Parikh from the US, Dr. Ramesh Mehta from Britain, and many others from India, Jairam said, leading it to grow into a membership association of physicians from 57 countries of the world, already contributing expertise and disaster relief.
Outlining GAPIO’s goals, Jairam spoke about the many-fold focus of the organization, apart from bringing the medical fraternity in touch with each other for exchange of knowledge and providing a pool of talented experts in locations and situations requiring attention of a team.
As its current President, Jairam works to increase its member base and strides towards achievement of its goals.
He said as president he works to bring GAPIO to represent unrepresented countries and identify important and necessary “areas for GAPIO to act and collaborate so that the health of the world improves”, through initiatives such as continuing medical education lectures online.
Jairam also oversees organizing of two annual conferences, one in India and one in a country outside India.
GAPIO’s other activities include a medical quiz to sharpen diagnosis and treatment.
Improvement of knowledge resources and distribution of healthcare are his motivating driving forces, Jairam said.
Jairam described GAPIO as a cohesive group of members contributing ideas and helping organize the conferences, from suggesting expert guests to topics and the theme of the conference. Periodic meetings and an active WhatsApp group contribute further, Jairam said.
Speaking at length about the upcoming annual conference in Mysore on the 18th and 19th of January, 2025, Jairam said it is expected to draw more than 200 top physicians, the conference will feature eminent surgeons and physicians, stalwarts in their field, from Mysore and adjoining areas.
It “promises to be a feast of academics and good times,” with special sessions on physiotherapy and dietetics, Jairam said.
Jairam expanded on its theme of Preventive Healthcare which aims to address global health challenges.
The theme reflects the incidence of non-communicable diseases including diabetes, hypertension, cancer and the role of control and prevention in its treatment through good health and preventive lifestyle changes, he said.
“If you’re fit you exercise well you eat healthy you sleep well then many of these diseases can be pushed away from you or even if they are there they can be controlled much easier,” Jairam said.
“The value of nutrition today is substantial in every aspect of health,” Jairam said, pointing out that disease burden can be reduced through healthy and well planned diet.
GAPIO expects the Mysore conference to promote their association, to increase its membership, to emphasize the importance of disease burden control among lay and medical persons, and to highlight the importance of leadership.
Leadership and empowerment of women is an important session of the conference. One of the important aspects of GAPIO is to ensure gender neutrality and the rightful place of women in the field of medicine and healthcare, Jairam said.
Dr. Sudhir Parikh, Chair of ITV Gold and Parikh Woldwide Media, is slated to be President after Jairam. Speaking of Parikh as a well known figure across the globe, Jairam said, “I am sure under his able leadership the organization will grow and perhaps increase its membership in various other countries and who knows he may come up with ideas which are novel and indeed different from what has been done thus far.”
(Used with permission)
Related posts:
SKN Foundation Launches Nationwide Helpline on Persons With Disabilities Day
Successful EduCare Foundation Annual Gala Exceeds Fundraising Goals
Hundreds of Indian American Physicians of New Jersey Attend 6th Annual Gala
AAPI’s 18th Global Healthcare Summit Focuses on Prevention Strategies for Cancer and Lifestyle Changes
