Saudi Gazette report

JEDDAH — Indian Ambassador Dr. Ausaf Sayeed, who had set up the first Indo-Saudi Medical Forum (ISMF) in 2006 when he was the consul general here, launched the forum for the third time, with the setting up on Friday of the Jeddah chapter — the first of two other chapters in Riyadh and Dammam — in an envisaged Kingdomwide body to synergize the healthcare sectors and professionals from India and Saudi Arabia.

The launch of Indo-Saudi Medical Forum (ISMF), a non-profit body under the aegis of Embassy of India, Riyadh, was held at the InterContinental Hotel here in the presence of eminent personalities in the field of healthcare in Saudi Arabia.

The setting up of the forum is aimed at promoting ties between the medical fraternities of India and Saudi Arabia as well as other stakeholders in the field of healthcare from these two countries.

The forum, comprising Indian and Saudi doctors and experts in the field of healthcare and wellness, will play a supporting role in strengthening India-Saudi Arabia cooperation in the field of healthcare.

Addressing the gathering, Dr. Sayeed, the patron of ISMF, spoke about the idea of ISMF, potentials for Indo-Saudi cooperation in the field of healthcare and wellness, and what role ISMF can play in this regard.

Earlier, Acting Consul General Y. Sabir welcomed the guests. He noted that the Indo-Saudi Medical Forum aimed to serve as a key platform point for high-level informal interactions between the medical fraternities of both India and Saudi Arabia.

Dr. Sayeed, while welcoming all, thanked Dr. Ashraf Abdul Qayoum Amir and Indian pediatrician Dr. M.S. Karimuddin for agreeing to become the forum’s president and vice president respectively.

He stressed on the growing relations between India and Saudi Arabia over the years, but it was only after the visit of Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi last October that the ties got a strong fillip.

“The signing of the strategic partnership between India and Saudi Arabia led to a series of key agreements in various sectors. Part of the strategic partnership was setting up of joint working group in areas of interest and healthcare was identified as one such sector, in which the two countries are eyeing cooperation and collaboration,” Dr. Sayeed said.

“As part of Vision 2030 there is a drive to open the healthcare sector to the private sector, while also become a manufacturing hub for medical devices and pharmaceutical products, as the Kingdom imports nearly 60% of the pharma products,” he said.

“This is where India can cooperate for it is viewed as a pharma hub of the world. Another area of cooperation is in the field of research, especially vaccines, with India showing its prowess as a developer of vaccines, not only for COVID-19, but for other diseases.

“In addition the other avenues of collaboration could be the setting up of manufacturing of pharmaceuticals in Saudi Arabia, with the Kingdom becoming the hub, cooperation in medical equipment and also construction of hospitals that could be outsourced for long term care... the objectives are wide and possibilities enormous,” he added.

“This is a great moment and other countries could emulate this forum, and take it forward... complementing the Saudi Vision 2030 and Indian premier’s ‘Atmanirbar’ policy of being self sufficient and becoming a manufacturing hub.... and adding that another area of interest could be telemedicine.”

Dr. Amir presented his views on how ISMF can play a role in strengthening Indo-Saudi cooperation in the field of healthcare, while stating that it was “with great pleasure that I am here in the gathering and also am proud to be named president of the Indian Saudi Medical Forum for the year 2020-21.”

He said, India and Saudi Arabia have been working in parallel, building on their strong economies. Saudi Arabia is one of the strongest nations in the region and its healthcare sector is the third largest recipients of the budget allocations. He also highlighted that India too has an advanced and developed medical sector that is growing in every facet.

Both India and Saudi Arabia are focusing on healthcare while having a developed medical sector and with the help of this forum can forge a partnership that could benefit both countries and thus ensure quality service, he added.

Dr. Karimuddin, in his speech said, “I am thankful to Dr. Ausaf Sayeed for giving me the responsibility of being vice president of this prestigious forum. It is for the third time that I am assuming this post. First in 2006 with Chairman Sobhi Baterjee, then in 2011 when it was relaunched with Dr. Faisal Shaheen as president.”

“Now with positive encouragement of our patron we will carry out many programs with Vision 2025 to integrate all medical and healthcare professionals of India and Saudi Arabia to work together for enhancement of the quality of service.”

The synergy of Saudi Arabia and India provide a unique opportunity to develop a world class academic standards and appropriate researches to provide evidence based, best-practice oriented healthcare for all citizens and residents in both countries, he said.

“It would enable us to set up appropriate researches for all forms of medical systems including alternative medical systems. It would enhance clinical activities including telemedicine, teleconsultation, teleradiology and telesurgery.

“But most importantly it will help us to strive for uniformity of medical education in both countries to conform with international standard in order to facilitate bilateral recognition of medical qualifications,” Dr. Karimuddin added.

“We will be launching a website soon that will have membership enrolment facilities, profile of the forum, research section, Continuing Medical Education section and educational presentation and videos,” he said.

Padma Shri Nouf Marwaai, yoga instructor & founder of Arab Yoga Foundation, was of the view that both India and Saudi Arabia can benefit with a growing synergy in alternatives and a focus on wellness. India already welcomes millions seeking wellness and therapy in the medical sector and this is bound to grow.

With changing perspectives in the Kingdom toward yoga and the modern expertise and excellent facilities in holistic healthcare in India, the Saudis could benefit from this healthcare system.

“Why India, because India has great professionals in medical care and has a big role to play in wellness with a dedicated Ayush Ministry under whose umbrella Ayurvedic medicine, Unani medicine, Homeopathic medicine and naturopathy is practiced.

“India has modern medical facilities in allopathic medicine and the cost of treatment is affordable so with expertise and economy on offer, India is a good destination for treatment. In addition it is the home of wellness with alternatives on offer,” she said.

General Secretary Dr. Iqbal Musani used a PowerPoint presentation to highlight the areas of cooperation between India and Saudi healthcare professionals. He highlighted the potentials for bilateral cooperation between the two countries in the field of medical research.

He also stressed the growing expertise in modern medical care, growth of the pharma industry, the burgeoning research in vaccines and the disposable medical products industry, while emphasized the quality of Indian doctors in many specialties.

Prominent members who attended the launch included Hamna Maryam, consul (commerce) at the Indian Consulate; Prof. Samir Abbas, chairman of Samir Abbas Hospital, Dr. Khalid Mutabagani, CEO and hospital director of Hammad Group of Hospitals, Mohammed Alungal, chairman of Abeer Medical Group; V.P. Mohammed Ali, chairman and managing director of Jeddah National Hospital and a large number of Indian and Saudi doctors with another group of Indian and Saudi doctors joining the program virtually.

The Jeddah chapter office bearers under the Patron Dr. Sayeed, vice patron Consul General Shahid Alam and Chief Coordinator Y. Sabir are President (Saudi): Dr. Ashraf Abdul Qayoum Amir. Vice-President: Dr. M.S. Karimuddin; General-Secretary: Dr. Iqbal Musani; Joint Secretary-cum- Treasurer: Dr. Faheem Rahman.

Executive Members: Dr. Rima S. Bader (Saudi); Dr. Ravi Kumar; Padma Shri Mrs. Nouf Marwaai (Saudi); Dr. Mohammed Mujibur Rahman; Dr. Ataat Khan; Dr. May Abu-Ateeg (Saudi) and Dr. Kavitha Marusamy.

City Coordinators: Dr. Mohd Najmussadiq Khan (Makkah); Dr. Anjum Shakeel (Madinah); Dr. Syed Sadiq Hussain (Taif); Dr. Mohammad Abdul Mujeeb (Najran); Dr. Pramod Kumar (Jazan); Dr. Sajid Mohammed (Abha); Dr. Shashikanth M. Helwar (Khamis Mushayt - Asir); Dr. Asif Kandampath Puthiyadath (Tabuk); Yousef Rishal P T (Yanbu); Mohammed Rizwan (Bisha) and Chandan Prabhakar (Qunfudah).