Anyone who moves to a new country dreams of making it big in a foreign land. For a migrant doctors, in particular, making it big in the New Zealand health sector can be quite challenging.
Having opened her first clinic in Panmure, Kiwi-Indian General Practitioner Arushi Kaura says she has moved a step closer to realising her dream. She is among the many Indian doctors who are oiling the country’s healthcare machinery.
As per data from the Medical Council of New Zealand, India has provided a steady flow of doctors over the years. Based on registrations issued by the country of qualification, government records show up to 45 Indian doctors have been registered annually since 2017.
Kaura, who hails from Punjab, says her hard work of 12 years has paid off. She was born into a family of doctors and has a surgical hospital in Punjab.
“It has been a wonderful 12 years now in NZ. I moved here straight after completing my MBBS [Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery] from Punjab, wanting to explore outside India. I was ready to do anything, including multiple exams. After passing two theory exams and one practical exam, I could register and work in NZ,” she told The Indian Weekender.
Kaura says she faced the usual challenges of homesickness and social isolation during her initial days in the country. “Being a doctor, working in hospitals didn't leave me with the time or energy to mingle and socialise. Since I was a fresh medical graduate from India, I have only worked in the NZ health sector. The resilience and the habit of working hard that comes from growing up in India helped me a lot in my career,” she says.
Her eyes light up as the topic of discussion shifts to her new clinic, Jellicoe Health Hub ( Unit 24, 71 Jellicoe Road, Panmure).
“My parents dreamed I should have my clinic just like them. After working for nine years across various GP settings, I decided it was time to do my own thing. It's a brand-new, purpose-built clinic with a very calming vibe. With how the world and healthcare in NZ are going, I am taking it one day at a time, building up my patient base, and providing exceptional medical care. That's my goal,” adds Kaura, who lives with her husband and two energetic boys.
Keeping the increasing Kiwi-Indian diaspora in mind, Kaura also believes the country needs more doctors from India, as Indians feel more comfortable visiting them.
She says, "It's the language, the cultural background, the sense of humour, and some words just can't be translated, no matter what. As an Indian doctor, not only can people talk to express their physical pain but also the social stigma around many health issues that I understand.”
Kaura says she finds the Kiwi healthcare system slow-paced as compared to India.
“Things move very slowly here, and there's a huge health workforce shortage. There's also the fact that Indian healthcare is mostly private. Even private healthcare in NZ is very slow as compared to India. But the system here is less chaotic, with electronic notes, allergies and medical history being hugely helpful,” she says.
On a parting note, she has a message for all migrants, "Believe in yourself and never give up. We have way more resilience than we know.”