As India’s health-care system buckles under pressure, American Association of Physicians of Indian Origin (AAPI), the largest ethnic medical organization in the United States, representing the over 80,000 strong Indian American physician community in the US, has risen to the occasion and is leading several efforts to support, coordinate and reach the much-needed help in this hour of need.
Dr. Sudhakar Jonnalagadda, President, AAPI announced that “AAPI is facilitating interaction between US and Indian doctors to advise them about evidence based protocols to treat COVID-19 patients. We evaluated 3 HIPPA compliant telehealth platforms to treat patients in India. AAPI is also working on relaxing the restrictions on US physicians to treat patients in India. I want to thank Dr. Anupama Gotiumukaua, Dr. Ravi Kolli, Dr. Amit Chakrabarthy and Dr. Satiheesh Kathula for their efforts in coordinating various sources and resources in this fight against the pandemic.”
In its efforts to serve as a physician on humanitarian grounds to help patients in India, AAPI has identified and facilitates the following platforms/links to those who want the Telehealth established platforms: http://Mdtok.com/
AAPI encourages using this route because they give global malpractice coverage: They offer free service for 1-3 months for our physicians to help Indian patients, as these platforms serve and help become every Indian American physician to be a registered physician in India, by renewing your India licenses ASAP and can start your services; getting more info from different resources as well to get their services reach Indian patients as every resource is being tapped to help India in this crisis situation.
AAPI is in constant touch with Indian Embassy, Indian Health Minister Dr. Harsh Vardhan to see how best “we can help our motherland during this horrific pandemic. AAPI has written a letter to the Prime Minister of India, Shri. Narendra Modi to lock down the country to contain the spread of the virus, and to ramp up the vaccinations.”
“AAPI has been in the forefront to help India to combat the pandemic,” said Dr. Satheesh Kathula, Treasurer of India. “Thousands of people, both members of AAPI and non-members have come forward to donate money by putting trust in AAPI. We will try our best to be transparent and make sure that your donations will make some impact. I really want to thank all the donors who supported us unconditionally.”
It’s devastating to see millions of people are being impacted by Covid in India, especially many of the friends and families of AAPI members are suffering from Covid disease and dying now. In this context, AAPI would like to help India in a big way, said Dr. Jonnalagadda, “AAPI is collaborating with UNICEF, SEWA International and other like minded organizations. AAPI is also urging all Community leaders to educate their members to be on alert to avoid spread of the virus.” For more information on AAPI and its efforts to coordinate services for the people of India, visit: www.aapiusa.org
