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Indian physicians play a major role in the healthcare in the US,â€: Dr . Seema Jain tells AKMG delegates
36th annual convention of the Association of Kerala Medical Graduates held in Philadelphia
“Indian physicians play a major role in the healthcare in the US,â€: Dr
. Seema Jain tells AKMG delegates
The 36th annual convention of the Association of Kerala Medical Graduates (AKMG) at the Downtown Marriott in Philadelphia, September 5-7, was attended by hundreds of doctors and their family from the US, Canada, England and India. The AKMG is a pioneering organization of Indian physicians in the US, which was formed three years earlier than the American Association of Physicians of Indian Origin.
Dr.
Seema Jain, president of AAPI, noted that AKMG inspired the formation
of AAPI. At the concluding public meeting, Dr. Jain said there are more
than 110,000 doctors and medical students of Indian origin in the US.
The number of medical students is estimated at 38,000. In some
universities, more than 30 percent of the students are of Indian
origin.
“In
several states, one in four patients, consult a doctor of Indian
origin. Nationally it is one in seven. It means that the Indian
physicians play a major role in the healthcare in the US and their
absence would disrupt the health sector,†Dr. Jain said. “AAPI continues
to play a major role in in the health care in this country. We played a
crucial role in securing the approval of Dr. Vivek Murthy as Surgeon
General.†Prime Minister Narendra Modi, whom she met recently, is keenly
watching the activities of AAPI and in his future plans AAPI has a
special place. She asked all the Indian physicians to join AAPI.
Anto
Antony MP, the only political leader from India to attend the event,
praised the achievements of the Indian doctors using the knowledge
gained from India. Once their departure from India was considered as
brain drain, but now they are the brain bank of the country.
He
pointed out the fast changing technology and the difficulties to cope
up with it. More than 85 percent of technology and innovation happens in
the US. America conquers the world with it. People may say that America
gains importance through its armed strength. “The truth is that their
gains are mostly through technology. Many nations tried to compete or
challenge America and are unsuccessful till now.†Companies from India
have employed 10,000 Indian is the US while they have given jobs to more
than 22,000 Americans. He also congratulated the organization for
keeping its unity even after 36 years, which should be a model for other
organizations that split frequently.
Dr. Azad Mooppan,
who runs upscale hospitals in several countries and five states in
India, employing more than 13,500 people, quoted Silicon Valley experts
who said that machines will replace 80 percent of the work currently
done by the doctors. In future, the patient could sit at home and
consult the doctor. “Yet the importance of the physicians or the
profession will not be diminished. The roles may change,†he said.
Dr.
Alex Thomas, president of AKMG, noted the revival of AKMG in recent
years. Yet many of the doctors and medical students would not take
membership in AKMG or AAPI, which needs to be changed. He noted that
there about 4000 doctors of Kerala heritage, but only a few are
associated with AKMG. “I am humbled and honored by the opportunity to
serve as your president for its 36th year,†he said.
He commented on partnership
between Jefferson University and Aster Medcity, in Kochi , India ,
spearheaded now by a second generation AKMG member from Jefferson
University in Philadelphia. He asked to strengthen local AKMG chapters
and encourage them to invite more participation from prospective
members.
He
thanked the convention team with Dr. Joseph Mathew as the Convention
Chairman, who had put together the event that included CMEs and a great
cultural and entertainment program.
Dr.
Kurian Abraham, patron of the convention noted the reasons for the lack
of participation of the young doctors. He said the medical education is
very expensive in America and many young doctors are more concerned
about repaying the huge student loan they have taken, which has high
interest rate too. They are more focused on career and money than social
activities, he pointed out.
Dr.
Joseph Mathew, convention chair, Dr. Narendra Kumar, former president
of AKMG and AAPI, Dr. Aravind Pillai, former president of AKMG and
current chair of the AAPI Board of Trustees, addressed the delegates at
the convention. The cultural events include Amrutha sandhya, a dance
program by New Jersey based Kalashri school led by Bina Menon. The
entertainment for the concluding night on Sept 6th was the Bobby
Chemmanur Jayaram show 2015 directed by Nadirshah with star performers
Padmasree Jayaram the film actor, Priyamani, the award winning film
actress, Pisharodi & Dharmajan of Badai Bangalaw fame and an ace
singer Unnimenon.
The
three day convention began with a cruise around Philadelphia. On the
second day, Onam was celebrated with traditional festivities including a
reception to King Mahabaili with thalapoli and chenda melam followed by
an Onam feast. Various seminars, CME classes and campus comedy night
which showcased the artistic talents of the doctors were the highlights
of the convention. At the literary seminar several doctors read their
literary works including poems. Dr. MV Pillai, who moderated the event
noted the contributions of doctors like Dr. Siddharth Mukherji and Dr.
Abraham Vergese for literature.
During
the gala on the concluding night, Dr. Alex Thomas handed over the
charge to incoming president Dr. Sunil Kumar from Fort Lauderdale,
Florida. Dr. Kumar, in his in augural address, said, he will work to
strengthen the organization and improve relations with other
organizations like Fokana and Fomaa and also with organizations of other
medical professionals. The attitude of the physicians keeping aloof
from other medical professionals has no place in the US
An
aggressive move to enroll more members, especially youngsters will be
launched soon. To attract youngsters, AKMG members will work as mentors
for the medical students and those who wish to study medicine. As
always, AKMG will continue the focus on charity activities and helping
the medical colleges back in Kerala. He said AKMG will strengthen the
relations with AAPI, which can work nationally. Dr. Kumar also promised
to help Indian American candidates running for elections pointing that
they deserve our support as part of our community irrespective of party
affiliations. Dr. Kumar announced that the next convention will be held
in Miami Beach in July 14-16 in 2016.
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