The American Association of Physicians of Indian Origin (AAPI) hosted the Global Healthcare Summit (GHS 2024) on October 19-20, 2024, at Le Meridien in New Delhi, India, bringing together physicians and industry leaders.
“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, in his inaugural address. “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.”
Dr. Kathula explained that AAPI selected New Delhi as the venue for GHS 2024 because it’s at the center of significant policy discussions and legislative actions aimed at addressing the country’s healthcare needs.
AAPI has been leveraging the expertise of the Indian Diaspora to introduce innovative, efficient, and cost-effective healthcare and preventive solutions in India, Dr. Kathula added, emphasizing that the summit represents a continuous evolution from the first Indo-US Healthcare Summit, which AAPI USA launched in 2007.
GHS 2024 will focus on topics such as cancer and heart attack prevention strategies, the importance of lifestyle changes, and the integration of technology into healthcare, he noted.
India’s Health Minister, J P Nadda, delivered a video address emphasizing national strategies for prevention. He highlighted that the world faces two major health crises: cancer and cardiovascular diseases.
Dr. Nadda said, “I’m happy to share that through the national program for prevention and control of cancer, diabetes, cardiovascular diseases and stroke program, we are providing a framework for individuals across the country who access health education screenings and support services aimed at prevention and early detection,” Dr. Nadda told the AAPI delegates.
“It is well known that the lifestyle modification is the key pillar in the prevention of ailments like cancer and cardiac diseases. Foundation of prevention of these diseases lies in adopting healthier lifestyles, like regular exercise, a balanced diet, and shunning tobacco and alcohol.”
The CME sessions by eminent physicians from India and around the world offered a unique perspective on Prevention Strategies for Cancer and Heart Attacks, Role of Lifestyle Changes, and the Integration of Technology into Healthcare Describing the message and theme for the Summit,
“This this year marks a significant milestone in the history of AAPI, as we proudly introduce the Fellowship of AAPI (FAAPI), said Dr. Kathula. “This prestigious recognition on is not only doctors, but also healthcare administrators who have made substantial contributions in their respective fields. In India, for the inaugural year, we are delighted to announce that three eminent physicians and administrators have been selected as eligible recipients. Dr. Rakesh Sharma, Dr. Bhasnji Kundaria, and Dr. Raman Kumar were honored by AAPI with this prestigious award.”
Chair of AAPI BOT, Dr. Sunil Kaza, said “Providing 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.”
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.”
Chakrabarty mentioned that India’s President, Draupadi Murmu, proposed AAPI’s collaboration in achieving a TB-Free Tribal India, which is led by Dr. Manoj Jain. Efforts related to diabetes will be headed by Dr. Smitha Joshi. Meanwhile, the Ayurveda Consortium will be led by Dr. Amit Shah, Dr. Artin Prasad, and Dr. Dilip Sarkar.
He also extended an invitation to AAPI members to attend the 19th edition of AAPI’s Global Healthcare Summit, focusing on tuberculosis, Ayurveda, and diabetes, scheduled to take place in Bhubaneshwar, Orissa, from January 9-11, 2026.
