Desi Talk

www.desitalk.com – that’s all you need to know 14 COVER STORY June 19, 2026 T he Global Association of Physicians of Indian Origin (GAPIO) led by President Dr. Sudhir Parikh, and Canada India Network Initiative (CINI) under the Canada India Network Society (CINS) led by Dr. Arun Garg brought healthcare lead- ers, researchers, physicians, policymakers, and community advocates from US, Canada, and India to British Columbia, Canada in ear- ly June. They discussed integrative care and the impact of cultural and social factors on healthcare and advocated new approaches to preventive healthcare, chronic disease man- agement, and community-based wellness. The meeting was held in Surrey City Hall in the city of Surrey, British Columbia. “By formalizing the Canada–India Bridge Accelerator and strengthening collaboration between CINS and the Global Association of Physicians of Indian Origin (GAPIO), the summit established a pathway toward a more integrated, culturally intelligent, and human- centered model of care,” organizers noted in a press release. Padma Shri recipient Dr. Parikh, chairman of ParikhWorldwide Media/ITV Gold, among the largest Indian American media outlets in US, outlined the global reach of GAPIO, and urged Indian-origin physicians in Canada to join GAPIO in order to improve healthcare outcomes around the world. He emphasized how GAPIO was present in 60 countries and represented the interests of the 1.6 million or so Indian origin physicians around the world. CINS founder Dr. Arun Garg, emphasized culturally precise medicine, integrative think- ing, and cross-sector collaboration to shift healthcare from a reactive system to a proac- tive creator of sustainable health. The conference opened with municipal leaders, healthcare executives, and diplo- matic representatives. Surrey Mayor Brenda Locke welcomed delegates, highlighting the role of local governments in shaping the social and cultural conditions that determine health outcomes. Discussions centered around how modern medicine excels at diagnosing disease and measuring biological markers, but it often fails to account for the full human context in which those diseases develop. The conference called for expanding the definition of ’clinical information’ to include questions around sleep, stress, diet, cultural practices, and spiritual beliefs as central de- terminants of disease expression and recovery, and that treatment and healing needed to go beyond prescriptions or procedures. CONNECTING BIOLOGY, CULTURE, AND TECHNOLOGY Under the theme ‘Connecting the Dots, the conference advanced a model integrating bio- medical science with cultural knowledge and emerging technologies. Traditional practices, whether breathwork, nutrition, or community rituals, offer both physiological and psychoso- cial benefits. When validated and responsibly integrated, they enhance rather than compete with conventional care, the conference con- cluded. At the same time as wearable devices, home diagnostics, and AI-driven platforms enable real-time tracking of the dynamic relationship between behavior, environment, and biology, aspects such as art, storytelling, and movement are therapeutic tools that support and influ- ence recovery and long-term outcomes. The conference called for steps to be taken such as translating health resources into Pun- jabi, Hindi, Urdu, and Bengali, and expanding screening into trusted spaces such as gurd- waras, temples, and community centers. Dr. Victoria Lee, Former President and CEO of Fraser Health, noted that embedding care within these ecosystems supports a shift from reactive emergency care to proactive, preven- tion-focused systems. Several institutions including Apollo Hospi- tals in India whose Chairman Dr. Prathap C. Reddy had founded GAPIO in 2011, had been adopting the integrative approach, a press release from CINS said. “Health is not created in clinics alone. It is shaped in kitchens, workplaces, places of wor- ship, and everyday interactions,” organizers noted in the press release. By a StaffWriter Global Association of Physicians Of Indian Origin And Canada-India Network Society Host Conference On Integrative Approaches To Care Dr. Arun Garg with participants/organizers, at the healthcare conference in Surrey, BC, Canada. Dr. Arun Garg introducing GAPIO President Dr. Sudhir Parikh, center, as Dr. Ramesh Mehta, past president of GAPIO, looks on. Certificate of Appreciation outlining objectives of the healthcare conference held in Surrey, Canada, in early June, 2026. Mayor of Surrey, British Columbia Brenda Locke, speaking at the healthcare conference. A section of the audience at the healthcare conference in Surrey, BC, Canada. PHOTOS:ORGANIZERS