Pride of Australia: Doctor couple helping mothers and babies in Australia and India

BABIES and mothers around the world are better off thanks to a Melbourne couple globally sharing their medical expertise. And the pair say smartphones have played a big part.

BABIES and mothers around the world are better off thanks to a Melbourne couple globally sharing their medical expertise.

Monash Health’s Indian-born neonatologist Dr Atul Malhotra and obstetrician Dr Arunaz Kumar have been involved in world-first medical research in Australia. They also work
on the side championing simulation medical education in developing countries.

The couple has taught more than 1000 healthcare practitioners in rural areas of India through their ONESim program.

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The obstetrician said working in her home country, with her husband and 13-year-old son, was unifying for their family.

“We have common goals to one day make the world a better place for mothers and babies,” Dr Kumar said.

“If I am running low on motivation, there is someone next to me who can pull me up, saying: ‘Yes we can do this. Let’s keep going’.”

Monash baby doctors, husband and wife team Dr Atul Malhotra and Dr Arunaz Kumar, work at Monash saving the lives of premmie babies. Picture: Sarah Matray

Dr Malhotra said smartphones were helping the couple spread their knowledge wider than they thought possible.

“Everyone has a smartphone in India. They might not have clean drinking water, but they have a smartphone. We can use that,” he said.

“We have started to make videos of our teaching modules so they can view it on our YouTube channel, so they can revise what we have taught them.”

The couple’s five-year-old program, partly funded by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, is gaining momentum. It has expanded into Africa and across Asia.

For their dedication and tireless efforts in bettering the health of mothers and babies around the world, Dr Kumar and Dr Malhotra have been nominated for a Pride of Australia award.

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