Tara Murray
It’ll be the end of an era later this week, with Dr Kodikkakathu Saratchandran seeing his last patient.
Dr Saratchandran has been a staple in many people’s lives since setting up the Arthur Street Clinic, in St Albans in 1977.
Since then he has called the clinic home and seen thousands of patients coming through the clinic.
At the age of 80, he has decided to retire after working as a GP for 52 years.
Dr Saratchandran graduated from Ranchi University in India in 1966 before arriving in Australia in 1968.
He would work in Mildura, before moving to Minyip and then Niddrie, before settling in St Albans.
“Regretfully life has come to a point where age has caught up, and the last two years of coping with the stress, and extra work brought on by the COVID pandemic, has taken a lot out of me,” Dr Saratchandran said.
“Age related difficulties as well as Covid-19 related difficulties with its oppressive PPE use, such impediments took away the enjoyment of continuing practicing medicine.”
Dr Saratchandran said his favourite thing about being a doctor was the ability to be helpful to people who are anxious about their health matters and the interaction with patients was the thing he would miss most.
In retirement, Dr Saratchandran said he would pursue his interest in music, while planning to engage with the Indian community organizations and support their events and spent time with the family.
