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- Universal access to health and wellness will be the focal point of Dr Aggarwal’s efforts for the next one year
- CMAAO is a 50-year-old body with 19 member National Medical Associations
New Delhi , September 17, 2018: Padma Shri Awardee, Dr K K Aggarwal, President, HCFI, took over as the President (Elect), Confederation of Medical Associations of Asia and Oceania (CMAAO) on 14th September 2018. He was appointed to the prestigious body as part of the 2018 CMAAO General Assembly held at Penang, Malaysia. An advocator of preventive and universal healthcare, Dr Aggarwal has already pioneered leading health initiatives in India.
A renowned physician, cardiologist, spiritual writer, and motivational speaker, Dr Aggarwal was the Past National President of the Indian Medical Association (IMA). He was the 1st Vice President of CMAAO and Advisor to the Ethics Committee, World Medical Association. A doctor and social worker par excellence, Dr Aggarwal is also recipient of Dr B C Roy National Award.
Speaking about this, Dr Aggarwal, said, “It is a pleasure and honor for me to assume the office of President (elect) CMAAO for the year 2018-19. I also congratulate my colleague Dr Ravindran Naidu on having been elected the President of the association for the current year. In this capacity, my efforts will be directed towards designing programmes in a way that universal health coverage is inclusive of all determinants. This will help in a better understanding and attainment of holistic health and well-being. It will also enable in prioritizing and mobilizing resources in the right direction. My aim is to bring about a change in the way healthcare is delivered, making it more accessible and affordable to one and all irrespective of their social standing.”
Currently comprising 19 member National Medical Associations (NMAs), the CMAAO has been in existence for more than 50 years now. Dr Aggarwal’s appointment to the body in the current role assumes significance given his rich background and the fact that this will bring India to the center-stage of discussions as well. He will take over as the President CMAAO on 5th September 2019 at Goa.
Adding further, Dr Aggarwal, who is also the Immediate Past National President IMA said, “All my activities since the last many years have revolved around universal health access and how to ensure that every citizen of the country can afford it. India still has a long way to go in achieving this vision. The very first step towards this goal would be to strengthen primacy healthcare and public financing of health. Both quality and affordability need to be balanced, especially in a country like ours, which has one of the highest out of expenditures on health in the world. In my current capacity, I wish to bring India on the radar of world bodies to accelerate efforts in bringing health coverage to all citizens.”
In the past, Dr Aggarwal has served as the Member Ethics Committee of the Medical Council of India (2014), Chairman Ethics Committee of the Delhi Medical Council (2009-2015), Member Delhi Medical Council (2004-09), Honorary Secretary General IMA (2014-16), Senior National Vice President IMA (2013-14), Chairman IMA Academy of Medical Specialties (2006-07), National Honorary Finance Secretary IMA (2007-08), Director IMA AKN Sinha Institute (2008-09), President Delhi Medical Association (2005-06), President IMA New Delhi Branch (1994-95, 2002-04) and Chairman of the Delhi Chapter of the International Medical Sciences Academy (010-13). He has also served as a visiting Professor of Clinical Research at DIPSAR and at the Muzaffarnagar Medical College.
Dr Aggarwal has also been instrumental in conceptualizing and organizing unique consumer-driven health awareness platforms such as the Perfect Health Mela and the Run for Your Heart. In recognition of both these initiatives, the Government of India released National Postal Commemorative Stamps (Rs 6.50 & Re 1, respectively). In 2012, he organized the first-ever mega Telemedicine camp at Ajmer. Once again, the government of Rajasthan earmarked the event by releasing a postal cancellation stamp. He is the only doctor in the country to have three postal stamps to his credit.
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