Pledges support to healthcare reforms, raises issue of lack of residency slots to qualified medical graduates

President of American Association of Physicians of Indian Origin (AAPI) Dr. Vinod K. Shah met with President Barack Obama in Washington recently and pleaded for increased residency slots for medical graduates while extending AAPI’s support to his healthcare reforms.

Presenting a letter on behalf of AAPI in a stylishly prepared book containing rare photos of President Obama, some of which were shot by him and his quotes, Dr. Shah explained on behalf of the American Association of Physicians of Indian Origin, being a US citizen with kinship with 1.8 million Indians in the US - 60,000 of whom are medical professionals – he would like to express great pleasure and profound gratitude for providing genuine leadership at such a crucial moment in the history of the nation.

Dr. Shah was accompanied by Congressman Steny Hoyer, House Majority Leader, who introduced Dr Shah as president of AAPI and his close friend.

Dr. Shah also invited President Obama as a chief guest to the annual convention of AAPI June 23-26, 2010 in Washington.

“On the 20 Jan 2009, I was extremely fortunate and privileged to be on the platform when you took the oath of Office of the President. The memory elicits a myriad of emotions that still stir my heart, along with those of countless others within our borders and around the world. In a glorious moment of democratic triumph, our nation leaped out of a poignant past into an unprecedented present and forever unfolded the future of endless possibilities,” he noted in the communication to the president.

He narrated 35 years since he cared for his first patient in Southern Maryland, a community only 50 miles from the Nation’s capital, which is still deficient in the number of physicians it requires to meet residents’ health care needs. Sadly, this is the story of scores of communities across the length and breadth of America. It is indeed ironic that a nation founded on sound ideals, inhabited by highly talented individuals with honest intent and sincere actions, must still endure such a stark reality – even as we celebrate the triumph of the freedom to choose, a freedom that ushers in a new era for humanity that recognizes the oneness of all, Dr Shah elaborated in the note.

“As a physician – and I can speak for thousands of my professional colleagues – I take enormous pride in the quality of healthcare we provide. I truly believe it is the best in the world. When faced with serious medical problems, most people – Americans and others around the world – would have complete trust in what we can do and rank America as best. However, the best is not enough until it reaches the rest,” he wrote in the communication. “As an active member and officer of the American Association of Physicians of Indian Origin (AAPI), I have had the privilege of countless personal contacts. I had the opportunity to hear many questions and concerns, answers and ideas; varied views concerning what ails our healthcare system; and what would remedy it. We have been able to implement this in our community with clear advantage, by providing efficient and cost-effective healthcare.”

Touching upon the lack of residency slots to qualified medical graduates, he said:” I have met many bright young men and women from around the world who arrived in America in much the same manner as I had forty years ago. Many of these are international medical graduates and easily some of the world’s brightest minds; many have already successfully completed the rigorous American Board examinations. Thousands of these very motivated professionals are floundering in the dark because they are unable to practice what they have been educated for, are committed to and excel in. It is a tragic irony that individuals with the potential to help others are languishing in their untapped potential. This group can easily become part of the solution for the problem our healthcare system is facing. What lies between our country’s success and their failure is three years of residency,” he explained.

Praising the President for taking Herculean task of reviving financial institutions, auto industries and overall economy, he said the bright young professionals are knocking on door in hope for a chance to realize their full potential. “They are asking for a small opportunity to take their first step towards the American Dream. In return, they will provide years of medical service, fighting disease and disorders, relieving pain and suffering,” he noted in the memorandum submitted to the president.

Describing Obama as the rarest rare of world leaders – one whose charisma and appeal have crossed political divides, bridged racial gulfs and transcended geographical boundaries, he said the president has inspired people of all nations to make more of mankind and to soar above self interest. “Your unique candidacy generated such fervor and enthusiasm for the US presidential election among those around the world, as if it were an election of their own leader,” he said. Dr. Shah promised President Obama that in his battle against human sorrow and suffering caused by disease and disorder, army of healthcare providers is ready to march on under his new leadership. The President appreciated Dr. Shah for his interest and the letter and assured he would give due consideration to the issues raised by him.

Earlier on October 10, addressing the fall governing body meeting of the AAPI as guest speaker in San Antonio, Texas, Dr.J.James Rohack, president of American Medical Association (AMA) acknowledged that the India-born physicians have emerged as leaders of American medical community and international medical graduates make up about 25 percent of one million strong physicians in the US. He said one in four of every international medical graduates went to a medical school in India and there are more than 33,000 IMGs as members of the AMA.

The AMA and the AAPI are working together hand-in-hand on several areas of interest to Indian-American physicians such as speeding up of visa application process and securing J-1 visa waivers for physicians to practice in underserved areas access. “These issues don’t affect only the physicians but the medical education system, delivery of quality patient care, especially those in the underserved areas,” he said.

The two premier organizations are also working on equal opportunity to residency programs, closer state licensure parity with graduates of US medical schools, license portability from state to state and the AMA is working hard to find solutions to the issues important to the Indian community, Dr. Rohack said. “The international medical graduates have made AMA a better organization that more accurately reflects the diversity in American medicine.”

“Covering the uninsured is a top priority of AMA and there should be comprehensive health system reform that will cover the uninsured, improve healthcare delivery system and place affordable high quality care within the reach of all Americans,” he said. “America’s fight for health system reform like the song Jai Ho is building toward a crescendo.”

The AMA supports the efforts at reform because physicians see what’s broken in the current system every day. Rising healthcare costs strain individuals, businesses and government budgets and the disease burden of widespread obesity portent a tidal wave of costs that may drown the nation, he observed. Those without health insurance, who can’t afford a visit to a personal physician and who access care only through an emergency department live sicker and die younger. This is unacceptable in the wealthiest and most technologically advanced society in the history of the world. AMA will work closely with AAPI in finding a solution, he added.

In his keynote address, Dr. Vinod Shah explained the outcome of his recent meetings in India with Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi, federal Health and Family Welfare Minister of state Dinesh Trivedi, Minister for Overseas Indian Affairs Vayalar Ravi, President of Medical Council of India and several faculty members. The third Indo-US Healthcare summit will be held in New Delhi in January 2010 and next year’s annual convention in Washington DC, he said.

Dr. Jayesh Shah, treasurer of AAPI, chair of AMA International Medical Graduate section and organizer of the event, said the purpose of combining the governing body and the Charitable Foundation dinner was to encourage participation of physicians in foundation activities in a big way.

The Texas Indo- American Physicians Society Southwest Chapter (TIPS-SW), the American Association of Physicians of Indian Origin (AAPI)-Charitable Foundation and the India Association of San Antonio (IASA) in cooperation with the local ethnic associations had staged a benefit program called “Dancing for the Millions-Jai Ho” and the proceeds will benefit the Charitable Foundation of AAPI that runs 17 free clinics in India and AAPI doctors’ runs more than eight free clinics in the US, he added.

[ BY LAVANYA GARIKINA ]