The Global Association of Physicians of Indian Origin (GAPIO) held its mid-year conference on 22-23 July, 2023 at the Sheraton Skyline Hotel in Heathrow, London. The conference was on the theme of ‘Global Trends in Healthcare Sustainability’ and was organised and hosted by the British Association of Physicians of Indian Origin (BAPIO).
The conference was inaugurated by HE Shri Vikram Doraiswami, High Commissioner of India to the UK, Dr. Nandkumar Jairam, President (GAPIO), Dr. Ramesh Mehta, President (BAPIO & COMHAD) and Prof. Parag Singhal, CEO, BAPIO Training Academy. In his opening remarks, HE Shri Doraiswami highlighted how all individuals are linked by their need to rely on doctors for their treatment and the important role played by the large Indian diaspora of doctors as ambassadors for India in the rest of the world.
Throughout the two days of the conference, there was an engaging mix of talks, presentations, and workshops followed by interactive Q&A sessions. The topics covered ranged from the digital and AI revolutions in healthcare, frugal innovation, entrepreneurship in healthcare and why sustainability and accessibility should be at the heart of global reproductive healthcare to the importance of anticipating risk in healthcare, the use of 3D technology in medical education and the sustainability of primary healthcare. There were also two spirited debates on whether the need for clinical bedside skills is exaggerated and that paid healthcare is essential to maintaining quality.
The highly esteemed chairs, speakers, and panelists who participated in the conference included Sir David Behan, Director at NHS, past Chair of Health Education England, Prof. Anupam Sibal, Past President GAPIO and Medical Director at Apollo Hospitals, Dr. Gautam Samadder, Past President, AAPI, Prof. Geeta Menon, Chairperson, BAPIO, Dr. Navina Evans, Chief Workforce Officer, NHS England, Prof Proker Dasgupta, Professor of Robotic Surgery and Urological Innovation, King’s College London, Prof. Ajay Shah, Executive Dean, Faculty of Life Sciences & Medicine at Kings College London, Prof Rajeev Yeravdekar, Provost, Symbiosis International University, India, Prof. Geeta Nargund, Founder of Create Fertility, Prof Amir Sam, Head of Imperial College School of Medicine and Mr Sivaramakrishnan Venkateswaran, CEO, Apollo Knowledge.
The conference concluded with a vote of thanks led by Prof. Abhay Chopada, who was the chair of the conference’s organising committee and Dr. Beryl De Souza, who was the conference secretary.
