BAPIO Wales held their 11th Annual conference on the 30th January with a galaxy of National and International speakers including the First Minister of Wales and the Health Ministers of India and Wales. The conference dealt with the health and social impact of Covid-19 on our lives.
The conference was opened by Dr Hasmukh Shah BEM Secretary of BAPIO Wales, who welcomed the guests and expounded on the role of BAPIO. Professor Keshav Singhal MBE, Chair of BAPIO Wales gave an overview of Covid-19 risk assessment tool developed in Wales which has saved many lives, and lauded the First Minister’s determination to stamp out any form of discrimination in Wales.
The First Minister Rt Hon Prof Mark Drakeford spoke about the disproportionate impact of pandemic on BAME staff in Health and Social Care. He also highlighted the all-Wales Covid-19 Workforce Risk Assessment Tool developed by a sub-group chaired by Professor Keshav Singhal MBE. In his keynote address, Rt. Hon. Professor the Lord Kakkar PC, Chairman of the King’s Fund analysed why Covid-19 had particularly affected the BAME community and recommended a holistic approach to resolving this pressing issue. The Health Minister of Wales, Vaughan Gething MS explained how the health partnership between Wales and India had benefited both countries and praised BAPIO Wales for their role in starting Fellowships for Indian Doctors.
The Union Health Minister of India, Honourable Dr Harsh Vardhan MP described how India had coped admirably with the pandemic and was at the forefront of global vaccine production. His account of the highly successful Indian effort against Covid-19 made every Indian proud of their heritage. The conference was also addressed by the Director General Health Services and Chief Medical Officer Wales, and Prof Iqbal Singh OBE, Chair of Cesop and my the Vice Chancellor of Manipal Academy of Higher Education India and MPs Alun Cairns and Stephen Doughty. Her Excellency, Ms Gaitri Issar Kumar, High Commissioner of India to the UK, summarised the historic links and several mutually beneficial collaborations between the two nations. She also, praised Work of BAPIO.
