An American Society of Indian Plastic Surgeons

Tuesday, 15 March 2011, 10:14 IST
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Florida: Plastic surgeons from India and the U.S. gathered in Miami and organized The American Society of Indian Plastic Surgeons, an association committed to the humanitarian principles that inspire this medical specialty. "At this time, plastic surgery is experiencing a challenge. The vast majority of plastic surgeons have devoted themselves to cosmetic surgery because it is more profitable. In fact, doctors with specialties in other fields are venturing out to practice this subspecialty," said Dr. Chanjiv Singh, plastic surgeon, who came from Punjab, India, to serve as key speaker at this event. Professor Singh regretted that reconstructive plastic surgery, which is the area where the greatest need in the world is found, has been cast aside and said that The American Society of Indian Plastic Surgeons has begun its own plan to contribute to the resolution of this challenge, even if only in part. Dr. Shashi Kusuma, plastic surgeon from Florida, founder of the association, said that one of its main purposes is to provide relief to very needy areas of the world, among them, India, his homeland. The group of pioneer plastic surgeons in this endeavor carried out a first humanitarian mission to India in 2009. During this trip, the Indian surgeons operated on 48 patients. Now, from April 3 through 10, 2011, they are planning to undertake a second trip. Dr. Singh said majority of surgeries performed during these trips are to correct cleft palate, harelip, burns and deformities. The operations are done free of charge, and they have available funding to provide medications and other postoperative care. Dr. Vasisht explained that each doctor in these missions finances all his own transportation, food and lodging expenses. The specialists are board certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery and are internationally renowned. The Indian government grants them a special permission to operate in that country. Many of the doctors who participate in the American Society of Indian Plastic Surgeons are born in India and raised in the U.S. Over 100 plastic surgeons in the U.S. are originally from India.
Source: IANS
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