The National Health Service (NHS) in Britain is celebrating its 70th birthday during 2018-2019. South Asian doctors, especially from the Indian sub-continent are described as the major migrant architects and the life bloods of the NHS. Not only as doctors, but they have become a highly-valued members of the communities in which they practice.
World Tamil Organisation (WTO-UK), representing the Indo-UK community took this perfect opportunity to celebrate it as a curated event, to join the celebrations marking the 70th birthday of National Health Service (NHS) and recognise these every day heroes, helping from behind the scenes, representing various institutions in India and the UK, for the exemplary services they play in our lives.
Kicking off the birthday party in style, the first of events was the UK-Global Medical Excellence Awards Ceremony, which was chaired by Virendra Sharma MP, Lord Anderson and Baroness Prashar. 11 topmedicaldoctors,consultants and surgeons were awarded in what was a star-studded evening at the Houses of Parliament, Westminster.
Various stakeholders from across the NHS supported the event by their presence and in felicitating the award winners. This includes Medical Director of the JRCPTB (Joint Royal Colleges of Physician's Training Board), Group Chief Medical Director of the Royal Free London (RFL) Group of Hospitals, President- BAPIO (British Association of Physicians of Indian Origin), Editor- British Journal of General Practise and senior representatives from all the Royal Colleges.
Winning the Lifetime achievement award for his contribution to the world of medicine was Dr. Arokiaswamy Velumani, an Indian scientist and entrepreneur who is also the Founder, Managing Director and CEO of ‘Thyrocare’, a Thyroid testing company in India with close to 1200 outlets across India, Nepal, Bangladesh and the middle east.
Speaking at the ceremony Dr Velumani said, "I quit my job and took a huge risk of starting a company, but it was worth it. I am very rich, but I do not have a house. Because I do not like a loan. One must always try to strive and do things differently.”
The other medical professionals who were awarded at this event included:
* Physician Musicologist Award- Padma Shri Dr Sirkazhi. G. Sivachidambaram, Dean of Perambalur Medical College and a Carnatic music vocalist, with a qualification from the Trinity college of music.
* Award for the selfless elimination of Human suffering- Dr Sanjiv Nichani, Founder of 'Healing Little Hearts', conducting children's cardiac surgery charity camps in India, Africa and Asia
* Pride to the Profession Award- Dr Premila Nalini Webster, Director of Public Health Education and Training, University of Oxford who has been conferred with the Most excellent Order of British Empire (MBE), for services to Public Health.
Seven other doctors from various specialties of medicine including Diabetology, Cosmetic Surgery, Peri-natal Psychiatry, Ophthalmology and Max Fax Surgery were felicitated during the summit.
"We want to recognise the efforts of these legends and their contribution must be rewarded. " said Chairman of WTO, Jacob Ravibalan. WTO is a registered charity organisation with an objective to promote the welfare of the Tamil Community in several aspects including arts, culture and humanitarian issues.
Associated with the NHS for 15 years, Project lead Dr Prabhu Rajendran said "NHS has transformed the health and well-being of the nation and become the envy of the world. This summit has given an opportunity to explore ways to nurture and foster this very special India-UK relationship, encouraging bilateral training program for healthcare professionals as well as strengthening healthcare related infrastructure.”
