With an aim to bring together physicians of Indian origin from across the globe together on one platform, the Global Association of Physicians of Indian Origin (GAPIO) recently organised its mid-year conference, with a vision to improving healthcare worldwide. GAPIO was launched in January 2011 as a platform for all physicians of Indian origin.

Objectives of GAPIO is to participate in global health agendas by liaising with organisations in the public, private and voluntary sectors. To promote initiatives that empowers individual physician and to liaise with appropriate statutory and registering bodies internationally. It also aims at promoting greater understanding of challenges faced in addressing a range of healthcare issues and to actively contribute towards medical education, training and research.

The GAPIO executive committee has Dr Prathap C Reddy chairman of Apollo Hospitals Group as the president of the society, Dr Sanku Rao as the vice president, a consultant gastroenterologist, in the US, Dr Ramesh Mehta, a consultant paediatrician from UK as the secretary general along with other renowned names from Indian and global healthcare.

It is estimated that there are 1.2 million physicians of Indian origin working not only in India, but also, in most of the countries around the world. This strong diaspora of Indian doctors need a common professional platform. There is a need for greater visibility and cohesion of these physicians. It is with these objectives that the society, GAPIO has been formed.

According to Dr Reddy, president, GAPIO, “GAPIO is a platform which envisions to shape the future healthcare landscape globally. Our mission is to empower physicians of Indian origin to achieve highest of professional standards, to provide quality healthcare, to contribute to local and regional community development; and thereby help to reduce inequalities and alleviate suffering globally. GAPIO would play a prominent role in advocacy for policy changes wherever required and liaising with the government and non-government bodies for their implementation.”

There is a plethora of physicians of Indian origin working globally who have their roots in India. Their combined intellectual and technical strength can also be a vital force in the development of the Indian healthcare sector.

“In pursuit of quality healthcare and patient safety, GAPIO would assist in building an international network of Indian physicians working on patient safety to create a model for National reporting and learning in India. We are looking at promoting research through global research institutes and Indian research bodies. We are also working towards defining a common Electronic Medical Record (EMR) strategy for universal access to patient health records and formation of a 'HUB – Health Universal Broadcast,' a site for propagating success of various pilot projects to learn from,” said Dr Sanku Rao, vice president, GAPIO.

The launch of GAPIO was the first step towards collaborating with the 1.2 million physicians of Indian origin globally for the cause of global healthcare. The society has been working towards providing a platform to empower physicians of Indian origin to achieve highest international standards and act towards engaging with policy makers in order to highlight the challenges faced in the healthcare system not only in India but across the globe.

“Physicians of Indian origin have made significant contributions to healthcare systems worldwide. GAPIO serves as a forum and an advocate for these clinicians to mobilise their collective experience and expertise to help address global health issues with focus on India; assisting development of quality health care with affordable access for all,” said Dr Ramesh Mehta, secretary general, GAPIO.