10 Apr : Indian-American physician and Padma Shri awardee Sudhir M Parikh is looking to establish about 20 to 25 clinics in different parts of the country fortreating asthma and other ailments.
Parikh received the Padma Shri for social services on Wednesday from President Prathiba Patil.The 59-year-old physician is into fields as diverse as medicine, philanthropy and publishing.
About his immediate plans for India, Parikh said he expects to establish clinics primarily for treating asthma,sinus problems and allergy, this year.
“I am in talks with the Mediciti Hospitals Group (based in Andhra Pradesh) to establish 20-25 clinics that will provide treatment mainly for asthma, sinus and allergies.
“These clinics are expected to be set up in Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka this year itself,” Parikh said.However, he did not reveal any financial details.
In India, Parikh is also associated with many social service activities, especially microfinance initiatives for empowering women.
Moreover, he is also looking for academic collaboration between Indian and American medical schools.
Such programmes would help Indian students to understand the medical system in the US and also pursue part of their course there, Parikh said.
A native of Gujarat, Parikh is also the chairman and publisher of the New York-based Parikh Worldwide Media that owns publications such as the News India Times and The Indian
American, among others.
To strengthen the presence in the media industry, Parikh is exploring the possibility of buying out a community
television channel in the US.
“I am in discussions to acquire a community television channel there. I am planning to have a channel that would focus on wellness and yoga, among others,” he noted.
When asked about the size of the proposed acquisition, Parikh said the deal could be in the range of USD 7 to 10 million.