Great Equalization: Is MBBS From India Equal To M.D. In U.S.A?

AAPI Journal • March 2009
FEATURE
Reflections On The Second Indo-US Summit
Continued from page 15
should use their expertise given the
shortage of doctors in India.
Licensing issues should not come in
the way of using their knowledge”
the minister stated.
Dr. Sanku Rao, President of AAPI,
outlined his vision and AAPI’s
commitment to the implementations
of the recommendations. AAPI has
signed a MoU to train the trainees in
screening the rural population for
hypertension, diabetes, cardio
vascular diseases, and other
ailments. The project is yet to begin
although it has been four years since
the MoU was signed. Dr. Rao hoped
that the projects would soon get
started. Dr. Ramesh Mehta,
President of British Association of
Physicians of Indian Origin (BAPIO)
said half the population of United
Kingdom is treated by Indian
doctors. There are about 40,000
Indian physicians in the National
Health Service and Indians
constitute more than one third of all
physicians in the UK. BAPIO will
partner with AAPI from next year in
the rural healthcare projects in
India. Dr. Narendra Saini, coordinator
of the summit,
congratulated AAPI for having the
conviction to hold the Indo-US
summit at a time when several
international conferences in India
were cancelled following the
Mumbai massacre. Mr. Anwar Feroz
welcomed the gathering. Dr. Ajeet
Singhvi, Vice President of AAPI and
acting chair of the strategic planning
session proposed a vote of thanks.
The rest of the day was spent in
break-out sessions where the US
Delegates worked with their Indian
counterparts on six disease states
and strategic planning. The US
Chairs of the disease states were
Asthma and Allergy - Dr. Jayesh
Kanuga, Cardiology - Dr. Enas Enas,
Diabetes - Dr. Anuj Bhargava,
Infectious Disease - Dr. Vijay
Yeldandi, Maternal and Infant Health
- Dr. Arun Pramanik, Mental Health -
Dr. Ananda Pandurangi, the Chair of
the Strategic Planning Committee -
acting co-chair Dr. Ajeet Singhvi. It
was a full working day.
Dr. Sanku Rao & AAPI delegation
met the Chief Minister of New
Delhi, the Hon. Sheila Dixit. The
delegation had the opportunity to
inform the Chief Minister of our
activities and goals. The Chief
Minister was very gracious to offer
office-space in New Delhi for AAPI.
The final morning of the summit
comprised of summaries of
recommendations from each of the
disease states. The presentations
were very concise and clear.
In reflection, the second Indo-US
summit was very well organized
with a clear agenda. It is important
that the recommendations are acted
upon in a timely fashion and not set
aside until weeks before the next
Indo-US summit. Dr. Sanku Rao is
determined to do his best to
implement these recommendations
in India. Follow up with the chairs
and co-chairs are being planned so
that our goals are achieved and their
recommendations can be presented
at the upcoming annual convention.
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