Chat with Dr Raja |10 August 2021
Dr Raja’s clinic is situated in Providence (Photo: Louis Toussaint)
‘By following instructions, Seychelles will become a safe haven not only for the residents but also for foreigners’
This week we get to chat with Dr Sundaram Natarajan, better known as Dr Raja and who recently opened his private clinic ‒ Dr Raja Polyclinic ‒ at Providence.
Seychelles NATION: Please tell our readers about you.
Dr Raja:I am Dr Sundaram Natarajan, known as Dr Raja. I graduated from the Madras University in India and obtained my MBBS degree in December 1981. I also underwent special training in ultrasonography at the Thanjavur Medical College and later advanced training in the same subject.
Furthermore, I had the opportunity to attend a course in Medical Lab and obtained a Diploma in the said field followed by a course in CCPR conducted by the American Heart Association.
After that I joined the Association of American Physicians of India and later served in the ….US army. I served in war zones, firstly in Saudi Arabia during the Gulf War in Iraq, then had brief stints in Malaysia, the Maldives, Liberia and the United Arab Emirates (UAE). My last stint was in Afghanistan. During the time I was working in the defence forces, I had the chance to train myself with most of the common faculties of medicine since we had to manage all types of cases in the war zone.
As the world evolves, I took the opportunity to move along and see what the other side of the world has got to offer. This is when I received an offer to work for a private health institution in Seychelles and I decided to take on then challenge. I started my career in Seychelles at Dr Murthy’s Clinic where I have provided care for nine years to over thousands and thousands of patients.
Seychelles NATION:Tell us about your clinic.
Dr Raja: With the good relationship I have with my patients as well as vast experience throughout my career locally and abroad, I decided to open my own health care service.
My clinic is situated in Providence near the roundabout close to the PUC customer care office on the highway. We offer a range of service like general consultation, ultra sound scan, Doppler scan (Doppler ultrasound), consultation with specialists, dispensary, and very soon physiotherapy and X-ray. We also have fully equipped laboratory services. The operating hours are from 7am to 5pm Monday to Saturday, and from 8am to 12 noon on Sundays. I anticipate to extend the service in the near future till 7pm on week days.
Seychelles NATION: What service do you offer?
Dr Raja: I am offering free consultation for children in foster care institutions and senior citizens living in homes for the elderly. The plan also consists of 50 percent discount on consultation fees for staff of the defence forces, mainly soldiers. Should everything goes well, I am also planning to provide home visit service which is of high demand in the country.
Seychelles NATION: What do you think are the major health issues right now?
Dr Raja:According to my observations and analysis, the major health concerns in Seychelles are diabetes, cardiac illness and childhood obesity. With the global situation that we are experiencing vis-à-vis the Covid-19 pandemic, I believe that members of the public should keep following advice and guidelines the Ministry of Health has put in place. By following and adhering to the instructions, Seychelles will become a safe haven not only for the residents but also for foreigners.
Seychelles NATION: Any final words?
Dr Raja: I am very much indebted to the people of Seychelles for their affection and support shown to me which I never experienced in any part of the world. I would also like to take the opportunity also thank Dr Murthy for his support during my time working for him.
My vision is to see a healthy population through the health care provided. My mission is to provide the best medical care at a reasonable price and rescue the lives of our nation.
Vidya Gappy
