THE Boggabri community has welcomed two new doctors to the Boggabri Medical Centre attached to the local hospital, giving the “little town with the big heart” three GPs to service the district.
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Husband and wife team, Dr Nishad Gamage and Dr Oshadika (Oshi) Gunawardhana, arrived in Boggabri this week with their daughter, Senuli, who is almost two years of age.
Now entering their fifth year in Australia, the couple grew up in southern Sri Lanka in the Matara region.
After completing their medical studies, they worked for three years at Colombo National Hospital gaining experience in the emergency department and as general practitioners.
After making the decision to come to Australia, the doctors worked in Wollongong and the Central Coast before making inquiries through the Rural Doctors Network about a country practice.
Meanwhile the Ochre-Health-owned Boggabri Medical Centre, had also been on the lookout for another doctor to help Dr Nazeer Ibralebbe with the busy practice.
“We wanted a practice where we could still be involved in the emergency department but experience rural medicine,” Dr Nishad said.
“We looked at two other practices before deciding to come to Boggabri – here we will have the opportunity to do both.”
Dr Oshi also has experience in the treatment of mental health, which will enhance facilities already available at the medical centre.
Manager Donna Block has worked closely with the husband and wife team since their first contact and she is thrilled they made the decision to work in rural medicine.
“It has been a lot of effort finding the right fit,” Donna said.
“We need doctors who want to be here and to have two is an added bonus – they will be sharing on-call rosters with Dr Nazeer, which will give him a break as well.
“After a settling in period for the doctors, we will be offering late surgery hours on Thursdays with Saturday mornings as the need arises.”
Dr Nishad and Dr Oshi are looking forward to meeting members of the community and giving their daughter the opportunity to experience country life.
At this stage the practice will retain its bulk-billing status and the doors are open to people from Boggabri, Narrabri and Gunnedah districts.
• To contact the centre phone 6749 7097 during opening hours, 9am-5pm, Monday to Friday.
