Local Doctors Mobilize to Help Pakistan

The United States is pledging an initial contribution of 50-million dollars in aid to Pakistan and India to help in recovery efforts there. In New England, a local group of doctors is also promising to do whatever possible for people in areas devastated by the weekend earthquake.

The Association of Pakistani Physicians of New England is planning to send a team of doctors to affected areas in their homeland. At the same time, the group is also coordinating a campaign to appeal for help among the estimated five-thousand Pakistani-Americans who live here in New England.

The APPNE's president is Doctor Naheed Usmani. She's a pediatric oncologist and an associate professor at the University of Massachusetts' Medical Center. Doctor Usmani speaks with Morning Edition host Bob Oakes about the group's local efforts.