Born in the small town of Dadu in Pakistan, Dr Ram was inspired to follow in his two older brothers’ footsteps and establish a career in medicine that he would find challenging and rewarding.
“I felt that there was a shortage of doctors, especially in the rural areas in Pakistan. So helping people over there was very rewarding,” Dr Ram said.
After graduating from university in 2002, Dr Ram spent six years practicing in Pakistan before he decided to make the big move to a western country.
The only problem was that he couldn’t decide which one was the right fit.
Dr Ram said he was torn between the United States, England and Australia.
“I compared the countries to what was best, and I decided Australia was the best country in the world in regards to family medicine,” he said.
“I came to Australia just to visit in 2008 and I loved it. I think it’s the best country in the world to live and work. And every day I was there it got even more beautiful. Tuesday was more beautiful than Monday, and Wednesday was more beautiful than Tuesday.”
Dr Ram said Australia offered a greater balance, allowing him to work in a variety of fields from skin care to mental health to surgery.
He said that he also saw a genuine opportunity to help bolster the medical ranks in regional areas and provide services more common in cities like Melbourne and Sydney.
“In my experience here, I’ve found a lot of patients struggle to see specialists . . . they aren’t as common around here and I want to fill the gap,” Dr Ram said.
“People can go to Echuca and Shepparton, but they often have to wait for weeks, sometimes months.”
Dr Ram, who has worked at Echuca Medical Centre for the past eight years, said the Goulburn Valley was a terrific area to live from a professional perspective, and that it also provided a nurturing environment for him to raise his three children.
“People are really friendly and there is a mutual respect. It is very rewarding to help people here,” he said.
“I also love that it’s given me an opportunity to play sport and to take the family on long drives on the weekends.”
As for the future of Kyabram Family Medicine, Dr Ram said the plan was to bring in at least four more doctors to build a well-rounded team that the community would trust and be proud of.
Bookings can be made at www.kmcpro.com.au and via the HotDoc app.
More from the Kyabram Free Press:
Kyabram Family Medicine opens on Allan St
Denise Gemmill and Jack Norris awarded Australia Day honours
Sarah Tee named Tongala Citizen of the Year
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