The American Association of Physicians of Indian Origin (AAPI) is set to host its 19th Annual Global Health Summit (GHS) in Bhubaneswar, Odisha, from Jan. 9 to 11.
The summit will put the spotlight on India’s most urgent health challenges: Tuberculosis (TB), diabetes, the integration of Ayurveda with modern medicine, and the adoption of cutting-edge health technology, according to a media release.
AAPI’s mission centers on making quality healthcare affordable and accessible in India, says said Dr. Amit Chakrabarty, President of AAPI and Chairman of the summit. “Our goal is to strengthen medical collaboration and foster innovation that truly impacts lives.”
AAPI is pledging active support for the national TB-Free Tribal India campaign, spearheaded by Dr. Manoj Jain. “Our collaboration aims to accelerate progress toward a TB-free India, especially in tribal communities,” he says.
Diabetes initiatives, led by Dr. Smitha Joshi, will highlight advances in management and prevention. The Ayurveda Consortium, coordinated by Dr. Amit Shah and Dr. Arti Prasad, will explore the synergy between traditional practices and contemporary healthcare.
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“We believe Ayurveda can complement modern medicine and help address chronic diseases more holistically,” remarked Dr. Shah.
Innovation is a cornerstone of the summit, with sessions spotlighting the role of artificial intelligence and digital health tools in revolutionizing diagnostics and patient care.
“Technology is transforming healthcare delivery, enabling us to reach more patients, faster and more effectively,” stated Dr. Santosh Kumar Dora.
Topics will span new medical advancements, Continuing Medical Education (CME), Evidence-Based Learning (ELS), research methodology, and scientific writing.
Expanding beyond clinical medicine, the 2026 summit will tackle chronic disease prevention, rural health disparities, climate change effects, and other global health concerns.
The CEO Forum will confront issues such as healthcare equity, ethics, and physician burnout, and the Women’s Forum will examine gender bias and leadership in medicine.
“We are committed to addressing not just diseases, but the systemic challenges that impact health outcomes,” affirmed Dr. Meher Medavaram, President-Elect of AAPI.
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Special sessions will address mental health, childhood obesity, non-communicable disease prevention, and community CPR training, reflecting AAPI’s holistic approach to public health.
The summit will also showcase the collaboration to eliminate TB in India (CETI), with support from the CDC and USAID, sharing updates on TB elimination strategies and future engagement.
Global collaboration will be furthered through alumni networking, strategic partnerships with Indian institutions, and the recognition of outstanding achievements via the AAPI awards.
With hundreds of U.S. and international physicians participating, new alliances and projects are anticipated to emerge from the summit.
Community outreach is integral to the summit, with public health education, preventive screenings, and awareness campaigns planned, especially targeting underserved rural and tribal populations, according to the release.
“Improving health outcomes requires engaging communities directly,” said Dr. Arti Prasad. AAPI’s ongoing efforts in public health underscore its commitment to social responsibility.