Dr Mukesh Haikerwal honoured with AO
A well-deserved award for a prominent member of the Indian community, a distinguished doctor and an exemplary person By PREETI JABBAL
On Australia Day 2011, Indian-born Dr. Mukesh Haikerwal was among those who were appointed as Officer of the Order of Australia, one of the country’s highest civilian awards. Dr Haikerwal is only the second Indian after Mr. Neville Roach to be felicitated with this highly prestigious award. He received the honour ‘for his distinguished service to medical administration, to the promotion of public health through leadership roles with professional organisations, particularly the Australian Medical Association, to the reform of the Australian health system through the optimisation of information technology, and as a general practitioner’. Former Australian Medical Association President and GP (Western suburbs), Dr Haikerwal has considerable influence in the field of Australian medicine.
When asked if he had any inkling that he was on the Australian Honours list this year Dr. Haikerwal revealed, “The letter notifying me of the Honour was sent in December and was a complete surprise to me. It had to be kept under wraps till the official announcement in January. I was obviously pleased to receive such a major honour especially as someone new to the country; it shows that Australia lives up to its promise of being a ‘destination country’. It provides the opportunities to everyone to get ahead in their chosen field and gives everyone a fair go,” he said.
When asked who would feature in his vote of thanks he said, “I am thankful to my family, my colleagues and my patients who have all been very accommodating and allowed me to pursue my dreams, especially my wife who supported me through the years.” Dr. Mukesh Haikerwal is married to Dr. Karyn Alexander and together they have three sons - Ajay, Suresh and Jeevan.
Dr. Haikerwal once said in an interview that his sons were over watching him on TV and quite immune to his media profile. What did they think of this award? “My children think it is very ‘cool’ that I was honoured, but I don’t think it has made any great impact on them. These things are relished more in adult life and they are too young to grasp the importance of the recognition,” he added with a smile.
Dr. Mukesh Haikerwal was famously quoted in an interview where he said ‘You can make improvement without a revolution’. I asked whether he still holds that opinion to which he replied, “Absolutely! I still maintain that there is no need for a revolution or aggression especially in relation to health in Australia. There is a lot to do but Australia is a strong country and it is managing health in a struggling, but effective way. Having worked and studied in Leicester (UK) I can make comparisons and the Australian system is unlike the British or American. Contrary to what people think it is not ‘just like England with a sun’. People in Australia want and receive care in a different way to that in England. We are working towards acquiring a good balance of public and private health in Australia.”
In September 2008, Dr. Haikerwal had a near fatal experience after being bashed and robbed near Dennis Reserve in Williamstown, Victoria. He sustained serious head injuries in the attack and was in a coma for 24 hours, remaining in hospital for two months. He underwent emergency brain surgery and has had to re-learn how to walk and talk. I asked him whether he sees life differently after that incident and has he felt the need to make any changes to his lifestyle, work or philosophy? “After a life threatening incident like the one I faced, you start taking stock of your life and your philosophy changes,” he replied. “Things that would upset me earlier no longer affect me. I am consciously seeking and making efforts towards a more balanced life,” he added.
With relation to Indian community he said, “There are an increasing number of people of Indian origin in Australia. With someone from an Indian origin like me getting honoured, it reiterates to them that there is a chance of progressing in Australia as well. It is a country that gives everyone a fair go,” he stressed again.
Dr. Haikerwal, who as a victim of violence himself, has been very vocal in comments about safety and security in Australia. “The violence against Indians appears to have calmed down which is very good. In a sense the media scrutiny from last two years has brought many issues to the fore. This has been instrumental in cleaning up the Australian International education system of rogue operators and dodgy colleges. People overseas are now more aware of what they will gain by studying here and they are also aware of people and places that were not giving them the real deal and trust that they deserved,” he said in conclusion.
Dr Haikerwal has an impressive list of credentials to this name. In July 2010, Australia’s leading independent medical publication Australian Doctor named him as one of 50 Australians currently most influential in General Practice in Australia. He was commended for his passion and belief of e-health and the impact it can have in enhancing the safety and quality of healthcare. Dr Haikerwal has been recognised for his work in various public roles, including that of commissioner on the National Health and Hospitals Reform Commission. Apart from practicing as a GP, he is currently Head of Clinical Leadership and Engagement, National Clinical Lead, National e-Health Transition Authority (NEHTA), and is playing a pivotal role in e-health reform in Australia.
Dr Haikerwal has enjoyed roles as Professor, School of Medicine, Faculty of Health Science, Flinders University, Adelaide; Chair Finance and Planning Committee World Medical Association; Member NH&MRC Health Care Committee; 19th President, Australian Medical Association and Former Commissioner, National Health & Hospitals Reform Commission.
