GAPIO, BAPIO, AAPI join hands to launch Global Indian Physicians COVID-19 Collaborative

New Delhi: The Global Association of Physicians of Indian Origin (GAPIO), the American Association of Physicians of Indian Origin (AAPI), the British Association of Physicians of Indian Origin (BAPIO), the Canada India Network Society (CINS), and Canadian Association of Physicians of Indian Heritage (CAPIH) announced the launch of the Global Indian Physicians COVID-19 Collaborative. The collaborative aims to foster cross-systems learning to arrive at the best possible approach for prevention and management of COVID-19 encompassing vaccination, newer diagnostic tests, ventilation, early warning, algorithms to identify deterioration, use of antiviral therapy, plasma therapy and novel agents.

Dr Prathap C Reddy, Chairman, Apollo Hospitals Group and Founder President, GAPIO made an emotional appeal to the healthcare fraternity to come together. He said, "We are now witnessing World War III. A war that has engulfed more than 200 countries and territories in just 100 days, infecting more than 1.6 million people and taking away 95813 lives. In my 65 years as a doctor, I have never seen what we are seeing today and I am sure that the world as we know it, will never be the same. But, COVID-19 has also made us aware that we can form a united force to take on any challenge by breaking the barriers that we have erected. It has made us recognize the amazing ability we have to find solutions in record time."

Dr Suresh Reddy, President, AAPI said, "I salute the spirit of doctors, nurses, technicians, paramedical staff, supporting staff and administrators all over the world in this fight. With the US having the highest number of cases, the learnings from the US can help others."

Dr Ramesh Mehta, President BAPIO and Past President GAPIO said, "The first Global Indian Physicians COVID-19 Collaborative meeting will be held at 7:00 pm on Saturday, 11th April 2020 and will see experts from across the globe sharing their experiences and discussing strategies to halt the virus in its march".

Dr Anupam Sibal, President GAPIO, said "COVID-19 has presented a unique opportunity for 1.4 million physicians of Indian origin working across the globe to come together and be at the forefront of the fight against Covid-19, as they have done on many occasions in the past. The world is looking up to them for solutions and we know that they will never let their people down."

Dr Arun Garg, President CINS said, "We are delighted to have renowned experts address physicians from across the globe. The presence of Dr Prathap C Reddy, Founder Chairman, Apollo Hospitals Group, India, Dr Vinod Paul, Member NITI AYOG, India. Dr Bobby Mukkamala, Board of Trustees, AMA, USA and Dr Kamlesh Khunti, Professor Primary Care Diabetes and Vascular Medicine, UK demonstrate the ability of the Collaborative to get eminent physicians on one platform."

"Each country needs to share the experience of treating COVID-19 and learn from each other which will help define and standardize the protocols for testing and treatment," said Dr Sunil Patel, President of CAPIH, Canada.

Dr Sanku Rao, Past President AAPI and GAPIO, reiterated "the collective strength of the Physicians of Indian origin and the force multiplier effect will pay rich dividends in this fight."

Dr Nandakumar Jairam, Vice President of GAPIO applauded the front-line warriors who have served as pillars of strength in this difficult time and acknowledged the contribution of each and every healthcare professionals and also thanked their family members for their support.

Dr Anju Aggarwal, Past Vice President and Past Secretary of AMIGA Australia shared the perspective from Australia on how containment has worked there.

Dr Sudhir Parikh, Secretary-General of GAPIO said, "Our collaborative will bring together Physicians of Indian origin from 45 countries. The activities will be widely disseminated through social, electronic and print media across the globe. The Global Indian Physicians COVID – 19 Collaborative will regularly connect clinicians and researcher in the US, UK, Canada, Australia, India and other parts of the world regularly to share knowledge on prevention, diagnosis, treatment and research on drugs and vaccination", he added.

Dr Sudhakar, President-Elect, AAPI 2020 -2021, Dr Anupama Gotimukula, President-Elect, AAPI 2021-2022, Dr Seema Arora, Chair, Board of Trustees, AAPI, Dr Rohini Sridhar, Joint Secretary, GAPIO, Dr Abhijat Sheth, Treasurer, GAPIO welcomed the launch of the Global Indian Physician COVID-19 Collaborative and reaffirmed their wholehearted support to this initiative.