INDIAN ORIGIN, PANDYA HONOURED WITH A ‘LIFETIME SERVICE AWARD’ BY A NATIONAL HEALTH & SOCIAL CARE BME NETWORK Buddhdev Pandya MBE, Director of British Association of Physicians of Indian Origin (BAPIO) was honoured by a national Health and Social Care Network for his ‘Lifelong Service’. The EMBRACE AWARD 2016 was presented at the Dinner was held on 29th October 2016 at the Senet House, University of London. The event organised by the national BME Network was attended by the High Commissioner for Trinidad and Tobago and CEOs and Medical Directors of many trusts and other dignitaries. Others who were also recognised in various categories were leaders of communities, nurses, NHS Trusts and Regulatory bodies such as CQC. Mr Pandya who had helped to found one of the national and most influential India doctors’ body in the UK received the prestigious award in recognition of his ‘Lifelong Service’ to Health and Social Care. Mr Pandya, who has served BAPIO for almost two decades which was step for supporting the doctors in difficulties. Nominating him, the national Secretary General of BAPIO Dr Parag Singhal said, “From a non-medical background, his contribution over the two decades is exceptional and rare for dedication to the cause of professionals in the health care sector. Not only he was instrumental in helping to planting the seed but also nurturing with support for shaping of the policies and strategic direction; benefiting BAPIO that has grown in stature and influence that it enjoys today.”
Dr Satwinder Basra, one of the founder of BAPIO and former Vice President also said, “Mr Pandya deserved such recognition since he had served BAPIO loyally and out of twenty year, over thirteen years he had given voluntary services from his home and responding to numerous inquiries while providing strategic support to the executive”. Mr Pandya currently is Director of Policy and Promotion and holds additional brief as Director for BAPIO Training Academy. He was involved in establishing a unique initiative – Medical Defence Shield and became its Deputy CEO to develop its infrastructure. He has campaigned for many health care awareness initiatives and initiated a number projects including, an Indian Community Centre, a mental health home for black youths, Asian centre for elderly and women
refuge and welfare care centres during his forty years of contribution to the public life. Mr Pandya, a veteran in promoting equality and fairness has served as a Director many race equality projects. The former, Chief Editor of an award winning Asian Lite - Ethic paper is Managing Director of a medical journal, ‘The Physician’ for the doctors. In his acceptance address he commented, “It is an honour to have been recognised by the community in this way. We are an important part of the NHS and it falls upon our shoulders to contribute to its success and the quality patient care it provides”. Adding, “We should strive to leave a legacy of a better working environment for our next generation and support the implementation of the workforce race equality standards”. contact: buddhdevp@gmail.com