US physicians can practicein India:

Vayalar Ravi

The Government of India is considering granting permission to overseas physicians to practice in India, according to Vayalar Ravi, the Minister for Overseas Indian Affairs. Addressing the second Indo-US healthcare summit organized by American Association of Physicians of Indian Origin (AAPI) at Hotel Le Meridian, Ravi said the government would soon initiate talks with Medical Council of India and Indian Medical Association to work out modalities to help specialists and experts in various disciplines to practice medicine in India. “Several physicians who have made a mark abroad are willing to return to India and we should use their expertise given the shortage of doctors in India. Licensing issues should not come in the way of using their knowledge,” he said.

AAPI leaders and organizers of the summit with Vayalar Ravi

There is a shortage of physicians in rural areas and they are deprived with latest diagnostic and treatment procedures. By granting permission to returning overseas Indian doctors to practice in India, India not only gets the best brains but also committed physicians whose only goal is to serve and not make money, he added.

The Ministry of Overseas Indian Affairs is working closely with AAPI and Indian medical associations in various countries and would extend all assistance to NRI physicians to either set up practice or serve the rural poor. Indian doctors living abroad could help in spreading the message about HIV Aids, prevention of suicide, cardio vascular diseases and diabetes.

He said Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh is keen on setting up knowledge bank to draw the expertise of people of Indian origin and physicians could play a key role in knowledge transfer. Commenting on the stalemate in healthcare projects to be undertaken in Andhra Pradesh and Bihar following the signing of MOU between AAPI and his Ministry, he regretted that burgeoning bureaucracy is proving to be a stumbling block. He said he would be speaking soon to the chief ministers of Andhra Pradesh and Bihar to extend all cooperation.

AAPI has signed the MOU to train the trainees in screening the hapless rural population for hypertension, diabetes, cardio vascular diseases and other ailments. The project is yet to kick off in Andhra Pradesh and Bihar despite the lapse of four years after signing the MoU and with AAPI kept in a state of readiness to launch the projects.

Dr. Ramesh Mehta, president of British Association of Physicians of Indian Origin (BAPIO) in his keynote address, said half of the population of United Kingdom is treated by Indian doctors settled in England. There are about 40,000 Indian physicians in National Health Service and Indians constitute more than one third of all physicians in the UK. “We are very keen to do our best for India and willing to volunteer time and expertise to make India a robust nation. We will partner with AAPI from next year in the rural healthcare mission projects in India.”

Dr Sanku Rao, president of AAPI, in his opening remarks, said the second Indo- US Healthcare Summit will prepare a monograph at the end of the two-day session and submit reports and recommendations to union government to improve healthcare in India. Dr. Prasad Srinivasan, secretary of AAPI, outlined the objectives of the summit.

Dr. Narendra Saini, coordinator of the summit said, at a time when several international conferences to be held in India were cancelled following Mumbai massacre, AAPI decided to go ahead giving a fillip to the morale of the people and the government. Anwar Feroz, conference chairman and convener, welcomed the gathering. Dr Ajit Singhvi, vice president of AAPI and chair, strategic planning of AAPI proposed a vote of thanks.  

BY RITU PANDEY