Two doctors who moved from India to Co. Fermanagh have spoken about their love of Fermanagh as they reflect on two years working in the South West Acute Hospital (SWAH).
Consultant Anaesthesiologist Dr. Veena Krishnamurthy has settled into her new surroundings at the SWAH, having swapped living at home in India to come and work for the Western Trust as an international recruit, just over two years ago.
Veena has also planted roots in Fermanagh, with her husband, Dr. Nandhakumar Caesar Balachandra, also working in the SWAH, with their children attending a local school.
She discussed the professional journey which led the couple to the SWAH. Veena said: “My background to working in Anaesthesia started when I trained as a Junior Resident in 2006.
“Over the years, I have acquired DA, MD, DESA and FCAI certifications. I have been working in Anaesthesia and Intensive Care department in various capacities in India, the Kingdom of Oman, and the Kingdom of Bahrain since 2006.
“My husband, Dr. Nandhakumar Caesar Balachandra [and I], had always discussed our desire to work in the well-structured and evidence-based NHS system.
“The South West Acute Hospital was one of the first few hospitals I had interviewed with. We were impressed with the candid, professional manner in which the recruitment process was conducted, and here we are, two years later, enjoying our roles.”
Describing her passion for her role, Veena continued: “Anaesthesiology has always fascinated me due to its widespread applications and impact on modern medicine.
“An anaesthesiologist facilitates emergency care, intensive care, surgical anaesthesia managing acute and chronic pain, obstetric care and more.
“Anaesthesiologists are perioperative physicians and intensivists, and anaesthesia is a relatively young [medical] discipline that is growing each day.”
Veena continued: “Health and social care work is going through a very challenging and difficult phase, particularly in the last couple of years with the Covid-19 pandemic.”
Reflecting on her critical work in a variety of theatres, she said: “I take care of very seriously ill patients or people going through very stressful situations. The most satisfying aspect of our job is seeing our patients get better. To see our efforts making a positive impact is what keeps us going.”
She added: “Working at the SWAH has introduced me to the well-organised NHS structure.
“The SWAH is an active, multidisciplinary hospital with very friendly and welcoming colleagues. As an international medical practitioner, I am thankful for the understanding and gentle guidance of my peers and seniors. We are very impressed by the possibility of career advancement, diversity, equality and openness at the SWAH.”
Discussing some of the benefits of working at the SWAH and living in Fermanagh, Veena said: “Working at the SWAH provides an excellent work-life balance.
“My family and I enjoy walks through the many gardens maintained by the National Trust. We enjoy the children’s play areas, swimming pools, and sporting arenas in the town.
“Enniskillen has a rich culture of sports and outdoor activities. We love shopping in the High Street and the occasional movie or night out.
“I think Fermanagh is an excellent place to live, especially with a young family. There are some lovely schools with friendly teachers who understand and accommodate the need of expatriate children from varying backgrounds.”
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here