“As someone who hated mathematics, I loved science! Taking the first group in high school was mostly out of a strong will to study biology but the actual turning point came when my dad was admitted for a heart blockage. I still remember the doctor who treated my dad – one of the most friendly open minded doctors I had ever seen.

Speaking with him kind of put my fears to rest knowing that my dad was in the right hands. He was the kind of man people wrote thank you letters to. His office in the hospital was filled with laurels of all kinds. That is when I decided to choose medicine as a career – to be the kind of person that people trusted their loved ones with.

I secured State First in 12th standard Tamilnadu Board exams in 2010 and joined MMC for my MBBS program. And it would so happen that, we were interning at the Institute of Child Health Hospital, Egmore. Seeing kids at tender ages going through grave diseases prodded me towards taking up pediatrics as my specialisation.

I flew to Delhi to complete my MD Pediatrics from AIIMS, Delhi and in my final year, just a few months before graduation, the COVID wave struck the world and we were all put into COVID duty. It was another unique experience working in the COVID wards lending our support both emotional and physical to the ones affected. After a few months post graduation, I returned to Chennai.

With the second wave, we are seeing how serious the virus actually is. I could see how there was an increased panic in and around me. Most of my friends and patients who were young parents started reaching out for consultations for usual infections and sickness. I found that there was lack of information specifically for mothers in caring for their child during COVID. I wanted parents to be informed on COVID and it’s impact on children.

So I opened up an Instagram page to share medically backed and easy-to-understand information for parents. I also offer free pediatric consultations through Instagram
@dr.anu_paediatrician.

My next goal is to become a Child Cancer Specialist. A single minded motive is what kept me going all these years and I hope, I continue to keep updating my knowledge and serve and help mankind in ways only a doctor can.”

#coronavirus #COVID19 #frontlineworkers #pediatrician #service #respect #inspiration #journey #doctor #chennai #madras #humansofmadras