Cricket Legend Sunil Gavaskar to address Indian-American Physicians’ Convention
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India’s legendary cricketer Sunil Gavaskar, who is also known for being an inspirational speaker, philanthropist, and the chairman of Heart2Heart (H2H) Foundation will be a keynote speaker during the 40th Annual Convention of American Association of Physicians of Indian Origin, AAPI, scheduled to be held in San Antonio, TX from June 23rd to 26th, 2022.
“It’s a unique honor to be part of the important AAPI convention in Texas. I am looking forward to meeting you all in Texas,” Gavaskar quoted. The announcement was made by AAPI President Anupama Gotimukula.
Dr. Jayesh Shah, chair of Convention 2022 said that at a time when physician burnout was an issue, “a positive remedial” resource like Gavaskar would be an antidote at the first-ever Wellness Program being offered to participants at the Convention.
Recipient of Padma Shri and Padma Bhushan awards for his contributions to Indian cricket, Gavaskar would headline a Meet & Greet Luncheon at the Convention and would highlight the fact that India remains the “world capital” for Congenital Heart Disease (CHD), with 300,000 children born with that problem each year, according to Dr. Ravi Kolli, president-elect of AAPI.
Without medical/surgical care, over 25% of children die before their 1st birthday, contributing to over 10% of the Infant Mortality Rate and resulting in 250+ children dying every day, AAPI said in the press release. Only a small fraction of children with CHD can afford the cardiac surgery, which can cost over $100,000 in the United States.
The non-profit H2H Foundation has reduced the average cost of an open-heart surgery to only $2000 per patient, with a few innovations. Otherwise, the procedure would cost and $5,000 to $9,000 in India. Gavaskar, who is touring the United States to raise awareness and funds to support the cause has personally sponsored 34 surgeries to match his 34 test centuries.
H2H provides free pediatric cardiac surgeries in collaboration with the group of Sai Sanjeevini Hospitals in India. Since February 2014, these hospitals have also been providing primary, secondary, and tertiary healthcare exclusively to children with CHD and over 10,000 surgeries have been performed free of cost.
Several other executive members of AAPI lauded the inclusion of Gavaskar on the 40th Annual Convention roster.
The convention will be held at the Henry B. Gonzalez Convention Center in San Antonio, TX located on the RiverWalk. Apart from the Continuing Medical Education seminars and other academic programs presenting cutting edge research, the Convention will also feature an exhibition to promote business relationships, and display ethnic items.
Some of the major themes at the convention include several Yoga events, including a visit to the first-of-its-kind in San Antonio, Aum Ashram as part of the Wellness session.
