Global Association of Physicians of Indian Origin (GAPIO), an association of doctors of Indian origin working across the globe, has been formed at the Overseas Indian convention being held in Chennai. The association will act as an umbrella organization of doctors of Indian origin all over the world, Dr Naresh Trehan, chairman, Global Health, New Delhi told Pharmabiz.

Some eminent doctors like Dr Naresh Trehan and Dr Prathap Reddy, chairman, Apollo Hospitals, made the new initiative.

"Indians are doing very well all over the world. Eleven percent of the super specialty doctors of America are Indians. Similarly a good percentage of the specialized doctors in the UK are also Indians. In foreign countries, strong organizations of doctors of Indian origins are there like Association of American Physicians of Indian Origin (AAPI), British Association of Physicians of Indian Origin (BAPIO) etc. Besides in The National Association of Doctors (NAD) and in The Doll Doctor's Association (DDA), in America, there are also physicians of Indian Origins. So we thought why not we have a global organization of these super specialists," said the eminent cardiologist Dr Trehan.

Speaking over telephone, Dr Trehan said GAPIO would promote the contribution of Indian physicians to global health and aim at harnessing their skills to address health issues in our country. It will also work for enhancing the knowledge and skills of Indian healthcare professionals.

Dr Prathap Reddy will serve as the chairman of the Association.