The Association of American Physicians of Indian Origin (AAPI) has made a landmark in the history of mankind by dedicated reforms in the Indo-US relations. Dr Hemant Patel's service to the community started in May 2007 and since then there has been much progress in building Indo-US alliances. Founder of AAPI's NY-NJ chapter, Patel recently quoted Mahatma Gandhi in a grand function felicitated by US Senator Robert Menendez and organized by AAPI's New Jersey Chapter: "Be the change you want to see in the world. You must not lose faith in humanity. Humanity is an ocean, if a few drops in the ocean are dirty, the ocean does not become dirty. If you want change, you better change yourself."
The man behind the scene, Dr Hemant Patel talks to SATimes and elaborates on health issues and more:
Congratulations for the successful completion of one year term as AAPI president and receiving the AAPI Award of Excellence. Please highlight some major achievements and contributions?
Patel: I was the AAPI president for a year and two months. I would call this our golden year in the past 25 years. This was the year of financial stability. Goals that were set in the Silver Jubilee Convention in Philadelphia have been met. All the programs were implemented and we had record breaking profits of half a million dollars. The money is being wisely used. The five platforms have been successfully achieved. This includes:
Increasing Membership & Strong leadership: Leadership has been encouraged across all 10 regions. AAPI members have made themselves heard about issues pertaining to humanity, philanthropy and health.
Partnerships & Alliances: Indian Medical College, Medical Council of India and Indian Medical Association are some examples of innovative alliances. Building up on the medical education in India was a concern for us. SMS college in Jaipur has started a one year diploma on Pulmonary Critical Care Medicine.
Global boundaries: AAPI members went to India in December 2007 to talk health with the Government there. Guests included Prime Minister of India, President of India, Minister of Health, and Minister of Overseas Indian Affairs. New policies and treatments were discussed. We have successfully contributed in improving healthcare in India.
Communication and advocacy: There has been improvisation of the US-India health debate, as AAPI members have raised their voice and collaborated with Indian physicians for discussing healthcare in the country. Health concerns were shared with the State legislative in New Jersey, Members of Congress, Yale University and talks were carried on with Indian politicians.
Women's Health: Our special initiative of organizing the Women's Healthcare Summit in Houston was extremely successful.
What were some challenges you faced and how did you overcome them?
Patel: AAPI is run very well. The team is great and has performed diligently in achieving the milestones. Members and the board of trustees have always supported us. Everyone always felt positively involved in matters related to healthcare. We represented the most vital requirements to our legislators in Washington in the Fall Legislative Day, held in September last year. We have received so much support from everyone. We have maintained our respect for our motherland as hundreds of our members visited India to find methods for improvisation of health in India.
The most important element was achieving our five milestones.
Please tell us more about your contributions to the Indo-US Health summit.
Patel: The Indo-US Healthcare Summit in New Delhi laid down new foundations in that sector in India leading to new public-private partnerships. We worked with the Indian Medical Association to focus on health of Indian citizens. With the support of the Health Minister, we have been able to innovate departments of psychiatry, women, and mental issues. Our officials have exchanged knowledge, data news, records and know-how from both India and the US. This has been sealed with documents to set guidelines for future. We also gave recommendations and monograms to the Health Minister of India, which was a historic event.
The 1.2 billion people of India including the rural population will benefit from our partnership with Apollo Hospitals Group of India. The MoU has initiated Apollo Hospitals to assist 17 AAPI dispensaries in India in the rural sectors.
Another milestone is the diabetic project in Gujarat, where the health needs of an entire village will be looked after. A healthcare program has begun in the Medical College, Baroda. These decisions with Chief Minister of Gujarat are vital events in the history of AAPI.
What is your message/expectations from the future 2008-2009 team? What new developments for the betterment of US-India relationships do you expect?
Patel: My message would be to continue to work in the five areas. Most importantly the Indo-US health sector. We have to build a structure for the betterment of the society. Secondly, we have to maintain financial stability of the organisation.
I would still work on projects involved with the Indian American Committee (IAC). My focus would be first on India. I would like to carry on the aims laid down in Washington.
Any message you would like to give to the community on this Independence Day?
Patel: There are about 2.6 million Indians in the US. I want to support the Indian cause. Especially the Indo-US civilian nuclear deal in the US Congress. I would always contribute to issues related to Indian-American community and would encourage citizens of India to discuss matters with congressmen and senators in the US about problems and their possible solutions.
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