New York: The COVID-19 Pandemic continues to impact the world with India and the United States having the highest number of cases.
Collaboration and sharing of knowledge and expertise among the nations of the world is key to combating the virus. In this context, a Virtual Panel Discussion on “Can 30 Seconds Save the World? Israeli-Indian Cooperation to develop a rapid test for COVID-19” was held on August 26th. Dr. Sudhir Parikh, Chairman, Parikh Media Worldwide, moderated the panel discussion, which was cosponsored by the Indian and Israeli Consulates in New York, American Jewish Committee, and AAPI. Consul Generals Isreal Nitzan (Israel) and Randhir Jaiswal (India) gave opening remarks.
In his remarks, Dr. Sudhakar Jonnalagadda, AAPI President, called for a joint US-Israel-India Health dialogue with Israeli physicians from reputed hospitals to study and identify as to how with significantly limited resources, Israel is able to provide quality healthcare to all of its citizens. He spoke on AAPI’s many initiatives in fighting COVID-19 in the US and India.
He recalled AAPI’s mission to Israel and Jordan in 2019, and hoped to take such a mission annually to Israel in cooperation with AJC. where we will call on the Israeli PM, Foreign Minister as well as Indian & US Ambassadors in Israel, enabling a series of dialogue and discussions between India, Israel and the United States.
Dr. Jagdish Gupta, AAPI Mid-Atlantic Director, highlighted that his alma mater, the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), hosted a large mission of Israeli COVID-19 experts earlier this month led by Ambassador Ron Malka, who has been playing a significant role in fighting COVID-19 in India. Dr. Gupta hopes to see Israel-India Medical Cooperation between healthcare institutions such as AIIMS as well as other leading private sector hospitals such as Apollo, Medanta, Zydus etc.
Dr. Jonnalagadda and Dr. Gupta were referring to an Israeli team, led by a “high ranking” research and development (R&D) defense officials, were in Delhi recently with a multi-pronged mission, codenamed “Operation Breathing Space” to work with Indian authorities on the coronavirus (COVID-19) response.
AAPI President Dr. Sudhakar Jonnalagadda and (right) Israel Ambassador to India, Ron Malka.
