As part of the 18th annual Global Healthcare Summit 2024, leaders of the American Association of Physicians of Indian Origin (AAPI) in their efforts to advocate for AAPI’s mission to help India create programs that are efficient, cost effective and affordable, and helping save lives through prevention and education, met with Honorable Health Minister of India, Shri Jagat Prakash Nadda in his office in New Delhi on October 19th 2024.
AAPI delegation was led by Sateesh Kathula, MD, President of AAPI, Sunil Kaza, MD, Chairmen Board of Trustees, AAPI, Lokesh Edara, MD, Chairmen of AAPI Global Medical Education, Amit Chakrabarty, MD, President-Elect of AAPI, and, Vasu Singh, MD, Regional Director, AAPI,
In his presentation before the Minister and his staff, Dr. Kathula pointed out that one in 28 Indian women may encounter breast cancer during their lifetime, compared to one in eight (8) women in the US.Every year in India, 127,000 women are diagnosed with cervical cancer, and 80,000 of them do not survive. Breast lumps, skin or nipple changes, unusual pain, and swelling are symptoms of breast cancer. Monthly self-breast exams, annual examinations by a doctor, and mammography as advised by a doctor can save lives.Women aged 30 years and above should get a Pap smear or VIA test every three years, or an HPV DNA test every five years. These simple tests help in the early detection of cervical cancer and can save lives.
Dr. Kathula urged the Government of India to create “an awareness program endorsed by the Ministry of Health and Family for an 11-second to 20 second video message to be shown before movies, similar to the anti-tobacco messages currently displayed, focusing on breast cancer and cervical cancer awareness.” He said, Breast and cervical cancer can be treated successfully when caught early.
Dr. Edara highlighted the challenges to implementation of the NEXT examination. “NMC has a majority theory examinations, limiting Multiple Choices questions to 20% only. This limits the ability of medicalstudents to complete effectively in global level tests due to lack of practice in taking Multiple Choices questions. The United States and most other countries have NEXT type 100% Multiple Choices questions from the first year onwards most of internals and all final examinations.
Dr. Edara suggested that NMC increases multiple choice questions from 20 % this year to 40%, next year 60%, following year 80%, finally to 100% multiple choice questions. He suggested that the Pass rate of NEXT should be same as average MBBS final examination approximately to 85 % to 90%.
The AAPI delegation stressed the need to introduce Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) Program across India, which will help in saving thousands of lives every day in India.
AAPI also recommended that the EMT programs are offered at medical schools that have Emergency Medicine Departments
Another recommendation by AAPI was to make Emergency Medicine Program mandated at all medical schools, which will help save lives, especially in rural India, where majority of India’s 1.4 people live.
Dr. Kaza stressed the importance of creating awareness on the need for lifestyle modifications that will help save lives by preventing diseases. “There is every need to reassess the current strategy in addressing cardiac issues and how best we can prevent cardiac diseases, especially by healthy diet, physical activities, cessation of smoking and alcohol, good sleep, and stress management. This can help reduce cardiac issues by 80%.”
Dr. Chakrabarty said, “After having listened to the recommendations and suggestions based on scientific studies, presented by AAPI, Honorable Health Minister of India, Shri Jagat Prakash Nadda expressed his openness to AAPI’s concerns and suggestions. He agreed to some of the suggestions, while he asked his staff to take note of AAPI’s suggestions and take appropriate actions as needed.
Dr. Nadda acknowledged that the world is staring at two most critical health challenges, cancer and cardiac diseases. Dr. Nadda said. “With aging population, changes in lifestyle and increasing urbanization, the incidence of cancer and cardiovascular diseases, particularly heart attacks, are on the rise. I’m happy to share that through the national program for prevention and control of cancer, diabetes, cardiovascular diseases and stroke program, we are providing a framework for individuals across the country who access health education screenings and support services aimed at prevention and early detection. It is well known that lifestyle modification is the key pillar in the prevention of ailments like cancer and cardiac diseases. Foundation of prevention of these diseases lies in adopting healthier lifestyles, like regular exercise, a balanced diet, and shunning tobacco and alcohol, Dr. Nadda told the AAPI delegation.”
“We all know that AAPI has been playing a key role in the exchange of experience and knowledge in the field of medicine between India and the US today,” Dr. Nadda said. “Together, we can harness the power of innovation and lifestyle modification to safety, frequently, reduce the burden of cancer and heart diseases, not only in India but across the globe. I thank AAPI for organizing the Global Healthcare Summit in India. Wishing the summit a grand success.”
The meeting with the Minister and other officials were part of the recently concluded Global Healthcare Summit 20245 organized in New Delhi from October 19-20th, 2024.
For more information about AAPI, please visit: www.aapiusa.org
