(Orlando, Florida) May 4, 2021 – India has been hit with a devastating second wave of COVID 19, creating an unprecedented crisis for India and the Indian people. Oxygen, a basic need for human life, is needed to save millions of lives. An Indian physician organization, the American Association of Physicians of Indian Origin (AAPI), comprised of 100,000 US physicians, launched a national fundraising campaign with the targeted goal of providing live-saving oxygen to people in need. #AAPIO2forIndia #CAPI02forIndia
AAPI is working with Nidek Medicalto purchase The Dynarex Oxygen Concentrator, a supplemental oxygen device which can supply enough oxygen for up to four people, at a per unit cost of $535. Through the combined efforts of AAPI members in the United States, to date 2,000 units have been purchased and are being distributed through a partner NGO, Sewa International, to the areas in greatest need.
The Central Florida Association of Physicians from the Indian subcontinent (CAPI),an APPI affiliate representing over 700 physicians, is leading fundraising efforts for the Orlando area. CAPI President Tejal Patel, MD says of the urgency of the need “No patient should die due to lack of Oxygen. CAPI members in Central Florida have all been asked to give as much as they can to support. This is a time sensitive fundraiser to save lives! But you don’t have to be a member to give you can donate by visiting our website at www.capimed.org.”
AAPI President, Sudhakar Jonnalagadda, MD “Most of our 100,000 AAPI members have family and friends in India. We are invested in supporting the unprecedented crisis for India and the Indian people. We will continue the drive until needs are met.”
The Central Florida Association of Physicians from the Indian subcontinent (CAPI) represents over 700 physiciansand surgeons of Indian origin. The organization facilitates professional growth and leadership development amongst its members, promotes health and wellness awareness in the community, and raises funds to support a variety of nonprofit organizations.
About AAPI
Founded in 1982, the American Association of Physicians of Indian Origin (AAPI) represents a conglomeration of more than 100,000 practicing physicians in the United States and serves as a platform for more than 40,000 medical students, residents, and fellows of Indian origin in this country. 1 in every 7 people in the USA is touched by the care of a physician of Indian origin at any given time. As part of the AAPI Charitable Foundation (AAPI-CF) spearheads free clinics and health fairs in India. To date, more than 19 such clinics are being actively run-in various states of India under the AAPI flagship.
