The contribution of Indian doctors to the 70-year history of the NHS has been praised in the National Assembly for Wales.

On Wednesday 18th July – South Wales Central AM Andrew RT Davies paid tribute to the British Association of Physicians of Indian Origin (BAPIO) – and the role it plays in supporting Indian doctors in the NHS in Wales.

BAPIO (Wales) is the organisation’s largest national division – and under the chairmanship of Wenvoe-based orthopaedic surgeon Keshav Singhal MBE – has also proven to be its most active.

Mr Davies said, “Since its creation – our national health service has relied on international medical graduates for its success and stability.

“Indeed - there are estimated to be over 50,000 doctors of Indian origin serving in our NHS across the UK.

“During the 1960s and 70s – almost 70% of GPs in the Welsh Valleys were of Indian origin – and today nearly a third of all hospital consultants in Wales are of Indian origin.

“On Saturday 7th July – it was a privilege to join members of BAPIO Wales at an event in the Senedd to celebrate the 70th anniversary of our NHS.

“I would like to pay tribute to Kesh and everyone at BAPIO for all their hard work – and acknowledge the huge contribution that doctors from the Indian sub-continent have made to the NHS and will continue to make moving forward.”

ENDS