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

AAPI Journal • March 2009
FEATURE
Partners With AAPI To Host
A Successful Medical Conference In Goa, India
by Nasir A. Khan, M.D.
Nasir A. Khan, M.D.
President, Indian Medical Association
of New England
The Indian Medical Association of
New England (IMANE), in
collaboration with the American
Association of Physicians of Indian
Origin (AAPI), hosted a very
successful medical conference in
Goa, India, on Dec. 28-30, 2008.
Most of the physicians who had
signed up for the conference
attended, despite the recent Mumbai
tragedy. Twenty-two physicians were
awarded certificates for 6 hours of
Category I CME credits through my
office at Bournewood Hospital. Their
evaluations of the event gave an
average approval rating of 4.85 on a
scale of 1 to 5. I moderated the two
sessions and lectured on “Impaired
Medical Students and Physicians.”
The other speakers included
Rajendra Seth, MD, Internist from
Pennsylvania, who spoke on
“Hypertension” and “Cardio
metabolic Syndrome,” Professor Atul
Bhatnager, DDS, Orthodontist from
Luknow, India, who presented on
“Post-Operative Rehabilitation in
Maxillo Facial Surgical Procedures”
and Sivaprasad Madduri, MD,
Urologist from Missouri, who spoke
on “Andropause – Male
Hypogonadism – Fact or Fiction,”
and on “The Irritable Bladder.”
We stayed in Goa four nights at
the Hotel De Cidade, which is
situated on the Vainguinim Beach.
All the participants agreed that the
resort was superb. The all-inclusive
amenities included meals, spa, pool
and beach, and were befitting of a
world-class resort. During the day,
temperatures reached 90 degrees.
The evenings were cooler with a
gentle breeze. The conference
facility was conducive for formal
power point presentations, coupled
with opportunities for relaxation and
socialization.
Located on the West Coast of
South India along the Arabian
Ocean, Goa is a visitor’s paradise
and all of us had the chance to
sightsee and learn more about its
long and interesting history. Goa
had Hindu and Muslim rulers but
was actually settled by the
Portuguese in 1510 to further the
spice trade and spread Christianity.
Goa’s harbor and wide rivers were
felt to be ideal for their ships. In
1961, India reclaimed its territory,
but even now, Roman Catholicism
remains the predominant religion
with world famous churches and
skirts outnumber saris.
To get better acquainted with the
area and its scenic points of interest,
we had bus tours arranged to some
of the most popular local attractions.
Panjabi, the capital of Goa and the
smallest of all capitals in India, was
a pleasant city to wander around
and bargain for souvenirs. Old Goa
was more historical. The Basilica of
Bom Jesus was built in 1605 and
houses the remains of St. Francis
Xavier and the Se Cathedral,
supposedly the largest church in
Asia, were some of the highlights
from a tourist perspective. Other
sights we admired included the
Hindu Mangueshi Temple, with its
well-preserved white tower, and the
Fort Arguada on the coast, which
conveyed the past need for
fortification against other European
predators.
In addition to exploring Goa’s
illustrious past, we also enjoyed the
Goa of today, which is renowned for
its superb, sandy beaches and the
warm ocean waters. In fact, it has
become a major attraction for
Europeans and Russians fleeing from
the dark, cold winters. Some of the
tourists are backpackers and stay in
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