Association of Physicians of Gujarat (APG)
Association of Physicians of Gujarat Established-1972: Registration No.- F/9865/2004/Ahmedabad
(Association of Physicians of India, Gujarat Chapter) (A Legacy of Intellect, Integrity & Innovation)
APG HISTORY
Association of Physicians of Gujarat (APG) was formed in 1972, for the purpose of providing an academic platform to the Physicians of Gujarat and to instill in them the practice of participation at various academic events.
The actual inception of APG was the thought of group of doctors like Dr. S. C. Kusumgar, Dr. R. K. Desal, Dr R. M. Shah, Dr. S. J. Damany, Dr. M. M. Parikh, Dr. Nathubhai Patel, Dr. Utkarsh Mehd, Dr. Bachubhai Desai and soon.
Dr. S. C. Kusumgar was the founder President and Dr. Bachubhai Desai & Dr. Utkarsh Mehd were the founder Secretaries of APG.
The first convention was convened in 1972 at Ahmedabad, followed by annual conventions at Baroda, Surat and Jamnagar, The First annual conference was convened at Ahmedabad in 1978, which later became a regular annual feature. To begin with conferences were held only where the medical colleges were located, namely, Ahmedabad, Baroda, Surat and Jamnagar.
Later on the concept was introduced of Mid annual conferences at other centres with the aim of disseminating
medical knowledge in towns and villages and at smaller cities where facilities for medical college was not available and also ancillary facilities were not available. Both the annual conferences and mid annual conferences were 1 day affair The first day of the conference is a CME day and it is named as Dr. T. B. Kasudiya and Dr. S. R. Koradiya CME programme.
Shrimad Jesighbapa Sadguru Shrimad Ramjibapa Seva Samaj (Ganthiol) was the real force behind the Rotating Lectureship of association of Physicians of Gujarat. This award is still continued to be conferred upon annually. Two APG Oration Awards are also given in the name of Dr. N. H. Patel, Ahmedabad & Dr. Rasiklal Shah
Sarvajanik Hospital, Modasa and R. H. Shah, Surat during annual conference. APG Lifetime Achievement Award and APS Young Achiever Award are also given on APG platform every year during APGCON.
As explosion of medical knowledge and technology occurred, concept of pre-conference CME was introduced making annual conferences 2 day affair. This became immensely popular as they served the purpose of dissemination of medical knowledge at all levels. Emphasis was on INTERACTIVE sessions with experts and problem solving of physicians practicing in places where ancillary facilities were not available, and those having rural practice.
Emphasis therefore was on Panel Discussion on a relevant topic of the day. Later on Oration lecture was introduced providing the Physicians of the State an opportunity to present their own innovative medical work. 31 years as of now, is a long period and various changes in the format of annual conferences are carried out keeping pace with the needs of the time.
Annual conferences have become a major source of dissemination of medical knowledge and technology physicians participate with marked enthusiasm.
The only point that needs to think prospectively is whether the Physician per se is forgotten in the day practice? The centre stage is occupied by super specialists. Are we doing justice to the cause of practicing physicians?
The problem needs to be carefully evaluated against the backdrop of original concept of APG and today’s needs of technology dissemination and update medical advances.
Association of Physicians of Gujarat (APG) is now affiliated with Association of Physicians of India since 2020 and hence APG is also known as API-Gujarat Chapter.
APG is a registered body with Charity Commissioner registration number: F/9865/2004/Ahmedabad.
The trustees are as follows:
(1) Dr. Kirti M. Patel
(2) Dr. Bharat J. Parikh
(3) Dr. Shilin N. Shukla
(4) Dr. Sarlaben Ratilal Shah
(5) Dr. Bankim N. Desai
(6) Dr. Mahadev G. Patel
(7) Dr. Dinkarrai M. Dave