Australasian College admits Indian surgeon

SYDNEY, MAY 7. Heart surgeon, Dr. Inderjit Singh Virdi, has become the first Indian to be admitted to the Royal Australasian College of Surgeons (RACS). The success for the surgeon, who saved hundreds of lives in Australia, New Zealand and India, comes after a prolonged seven year battle.

``Being an heart surgeon, I don't get excited, but this certainly is one of my major achievements. It is a tough road to success and being recognised as a super specialist in this country takes more blood than sweat,'' Dr. Virdi, who received recognition to practice in Australia, told PTI.

Dr. Virdi, MS, MCH from PGI, Chandigarh and Fellow of the Royal College of Surgeons (FRCS), Edinburgh, came to Australia in 1986. He worked at St. Vincent's Hospital in Sydney between 1989 and 1992, but his admission to RACS was twice rejected.

Dr. Virdi's former boss, under whom he was trained at St. Vincent's, Dr. Mark Shanahan, told the local media that the college had been wrong in insisting on requirements appropriate for Australian trainees while not taking into account the Indian doctor's experience and qualifications.

However, the president of the college, Dr. Bruce Barraclough, told media that the college had not been unfair or discriminatory in its treatment of Dr. Virdi.

- PTI

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