APPNA
Dated: Address: Subject: Travel Ban on Select Muslim Majority countries. Honorable ….The Association of Physicians of Pakistani Descent of North America (APPNA) and its members stand in solidarity with its sister professional organizations in condemning the travel ban on the seven Muslim majority countries enumerated in this administration’s executive order. Although recent events have dampened our spirits, our resolve is stronger than before. Our organization represents over 20,000 physicians encompasses a wide range of specialties from medicine and surgery to biomedical research. Our membership spans the United States, especially rural and inner city clinics, providing most needed services to the extremely indigent and poorly served populations. When Veterans Affairs calls, we proudly answer by serving those who have made deep sacrifices in service to this country. When disaster strikes, we work in our communities to offer aid and assistance. For nearly thirty years, APPNA has been deeply committed to service and support numerous projects including grant opportunities, engaging in cutting edge research, offering student scholarships and loan assistance, as well as providing free clinics. According to the 2014 data 207,840 licensed physicians practicing in USA are International Medical Graduates, accounting for 25 % of all licensed physicians in USA. Out of these nearly, 50 % come from countries like Pakistan, Syria, Jordan, and other Muslim nations. A ban on these countries will hurt our healthcare system. It should be noted that in spite of influx of IMG in USA healthcare system there is still a great shortage of Medical doctors and AAMC projects that this shortfall number will be between 46,100 to 90,400 physicians by 2025. Obviously, now if USA limits giving visas to IMG from Muslim countries, this number will increase further and cause a hazard to the healthcare system leading to an irreparable loss to US citizens. It is our concern that the actions this administration has taken will jeopardize many areas of progress for our profession as well as others. We risk damaging longstanding relationships with our allies and losing the talents of those individuals who want to study and make advances, medical and otherwise, in our country. These actions may have long-term effects in areas such as economic development, technology, and medicine, effects from which we may never recover.We recognize that we live in a global village that thrives on the free movement of individuals including our members. We all share the mutual hope and goal of keeping this country safe. We, however, strongly disagree with the path this administration is taking to achieve that goal. Isolating ourselves and denying entry to some of the most brilliant minds in the world are not the best courses of action. We must seek to shore up our alliances with those who stand against terrorism. We need to engage in meaningful discourse with our allies that allow us to send the strongest message that hate and terrorism have no place in the world. We must work to show those who oppose us that their message of hate will not be tolerated and will not find fertile ground in our country. A united, global stance must be a fundamental tool in our war against those who foster hate, fear, and terror. We cannot allow fear to force us to live in fear.The United States is a leader and must lead by example and not the contrary. Our country is still the shining star over the hill and the beacon of hope to the rest of the world. We should not turn our backs to this reality. We pray in hope that common sense will prevail and the reversal of this unjust act will bring an end to this humanitarian nightmare, which is not only unconstitutional but goes against everything this country was founded upon and stands for today. The APPNA asks that the current course of action be reconsidered and that efforts be taken to protect our country that is legal, just, and humane. In God we trust,Sincerely,Sajid Chaudhary, MDAbdul Rashid Piracha, MD, FACC.President APPNAChair, Advocacy Committee. ................
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