30 October, Kathmandu. The South Asian American Health Summit has been held for the first time in Maryland, USA.
Doctor of Nepalese origin. Under the leadership of Vishal Bhandari, a conference was organized on October 10 at "Universities at Shady Grove" in Maryland. The conference was jointly organized by the Maryland Governor's Commission on Community Initiatives and the Governor's Commission on South Asian American Affairs.
Three major medical organizations of South Asian origin - 'Greater Washington Association of Physicians of Indian Origin', 'Association of Physicians of Pakistani Descent of North America' and 'Nepalese Health Association of Maryland' participated in the conference.
Preet Takhar, president of the commission, said that if South Asians are not included as a separate group in the American health sector statistics, their specific health risks are being overshadowed by the general "Asian" category. Although the South Asian community has a high risk of heart disease and diabetes, they are underrepresented in clinical research and many families are denied access to health care due to language barriers and social stigma around mental health, Takhar said.
Aruna Miller, the first lieutenant governor of South Asian origin in America, participated as the chief guest in the conference. Similarly, Maryland Health Minister Dr. Meena Seshamani, addressing as the keynote speaker, emphasized on the issues of heart disease, diabetes, mental health and social anxiety.
On behalf of Maryland Governor Wes Moore, Lieutenant Governor Miller and Health Minister Seshamani, Director of the Conference and Chairman of the Health Committee of the Governors Commission Dr. Vishal Bhandari was honored with the 'Maryland Governor's Citation'. Dr. Along with Bhandari, the vice president of the commission. Ahmed Nawaz and Maryland Nepali Medical Society president, nurse and songstress Sunita Basnet were also honored with Governor's Citation.
