HYDERABAD: The American Association of Physicians of Indian Origin (AAPI) will set up an institute of public health management here in collaboration with the Union Ministry of Overseas Affairs to train doctors and para-medical staff on a continuous basis and ensure better medicare for the people.

The association, which represents US doctors of Indian origin, numbering about 40,000, has also decided to take up projects in the areas of diabetes, heart disease, cancer, deafness, infant mortality and HIV/AIDS in two States, to begin with -- Andhra Pradesh and Bihar.

Pilot projects will be taken up in one village of each district in the two States for a survey to identify people afflicted with these diseases and begin treatment with better equipment and diagnostic facilities.

The project will benefit 23 villages in Andhra Pradesh.

Meeting in Atlanta

The two decisions were taken at a meeting of the core group, constituted of representatives from AAPI and the Union Ministry of Overseas Affairs held at Atlanta from June 28 to July 2.

The core group was formed as a follow-up of the Prabhas Bharatiya Diwas, which was organised here in January involving NRIs from different countries.

Speaking to The Hindu here on his return from the meeting, I.V. Subba Rao, Principal Secretary, Health and member of the group, said the initial plan was to cover 2 lakh population in the State under the medicate project.

MoU

He said the AAPI had signed an MoU with the Union Ministry to collaborate in the healthcare sector.

Mr. Rao said, the institute, which was proposed to be set up at Hyderabad, would undertake training of doctors and para-medical staff regularly under one umbrella to suit the changing needs of society and in line with Government schemes, improvement of diagnostic and treatment facilities and healthcare surveillance.

He said the AAPI would spend `a huge amount' on the institute for which the State would release Rs. 2 crores.

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