Dr. Arul Rhaj speaks at the Installation Ceremony

Dr. S. Arul Rhaj, Chairman of Indian Alcohol Policy Alliance (IAPA) has been sworn in as the new President of the Commonwealth Medical Association for the period 2007-2010. The Installation Ceremony was held at Hotel Green Park, Chennai on 24th November 2007 at a colourful function participated by Smt. Radhika Selvi (Hon'ble Union Minister of State for Home Affairs, Govt. of India), Smt. Geetha Jeevan (Hon'ble Minister for Animal Husbandry, Govt. of Tamil Nadu), besides a galaxy of Medical fraternity from the Commonwealth Countries. The Chairman of GAPA Mr. Derek Rutherford, Executive Director of Alliance House Foundation, UK, Mr. Aneurin Owen and IAPA Board Members Dr. Vinay Aggarwal, Dr. Nimesh G. Desai and Mr. Johnson J. Edayaranmula were present to witness the significant function. On behalf of IAPA, Felicitation Banners were displayed in the auditorium.

The Board Meeting of IAPA held on 25th November at Chennai congratulated Dr. S. Arul Rhaj for being elevated as President of CMA. A memento was also presented by Mr. Derek Rutherford (Chairman, GAPA) on behalf of the Indian Alcohol Policy Alliance.

Dr. Rhaj, a Gold Medalist in MD Internal Medicine, has specialized in Cardiology and Intensive Care. He has authored many articles, text books and research papers in his domain of expertise. A renowned academician and a socially concious clinician, Dr. Rhaj was honored with the Dr. B. C. Roy National Award by the President of India for best ‘Social Medical Relief’.

He started by practicing in a small town (Tuticorin) in Tamilnadu, and has developed a 100 bedded multi-specialty Hospital equipped with the latest diagnostic and treatment facilities. Through his own grit and determination and through minimal government support, he has been regularly contributing for the development of village health programmes through 6 Village Health Centres in the Tuticorin District.

Dr. Rhaj had always visualized a “Healthy India”. He has regularly shown deep dedication to community services and has organized various welfare programmes like mass Hepatitis B Vaccination, School Health Programmes, Diabetes and Cardiac Disease awareness drives, and so on. He has also been actively involved in campaigning against drunken driving and has enormously contributed in saving the precious lives of victims of road traffic accidents and other emergencies, by offering free transport and Golden Hour management through RTA Booths on Highways in Tamil Nadu. The Project is now being extended throughout India.

Dr. Arul Rhaj has created awareness in the community regarding the need for good health practices and the value of life style modification in the prevention of chronic diseases, through media, books, newspapers and group discussions. He has provided free Medical Treatment to many underprivileged fellow humans and has strived to develop “Family Medicine” as a specialty in India and neighbouring countries. He has served the Indian Medical Association in various capacities, including that of the National President. IAPA firmly believes that the Commonwealth Medical Association will scale newer heights and attain greater glories under the eminent leadership of Dr. S. Arul Rhaj.