The United States Health and Human Services (HHS) has sought help of the Indian physicians in providing healthcare to people in the conflict ridden Afghanistan.
During a recent meeting with the American Association of Physicians of Indian Origin (AAPI), American Assistant Secretary for Health Admiral Joxel Garcia said that AAPI is focusing on the United States and India.
But HHS, as a part of health diplomacy, would like to engage APPI in providing healthcare to people of Afghanistan, he added.
"HHS proposal would provide an exciting opportunity for the organization to get involved with the federal government in a big way," AAPI Secretary Prasad Srinivasan said while addressing the Fall Governing Body meeting.
Garcia, he said, specifically asked the help of AAPI in getting physicians from the US and in India to support the US Government efforts to rebuild the war-torn Afghan nation.
Their services are required in areas such as general health, child health, anesthesia and maternity healthcare, he said.
Srinivasan said Indian physicians have wide-ranging experience and knowledge and Garcia believes that they could provide invaluable service and collaborate in rebuilding the system in Afghanistan.
The Maternal and Infant Mortality rates are very high in Afghanistan and the US government is keen on reducing the numbers, he added.
Garcia urged AAPI leadership to discuss the matter in various platforms and prepare an action plan for mutual collaboration, Srinivasan said.
He said Garcia wants Indian doctors to volunteer their services to the people of Afghanistan and assist in improving clinical training and care besides offering clinical mentorship to local health professionals.
He had assured that adequate security would be provided to the physicians, Srinivasan added, Garcia has been invited to attend the second Indo-US Healthcare Summit to be held in Delhi between Jan 2 and 4 next so that he could interact with Indian physicians and government officials, Srinavasan said.
Outlining the preparation for the Summit, Srinivasan he had invited Prime Minister Manmohan Singh to attend the Summit.