Meet Dr Hasitha Dissanayake
Dr Hasitha Dissanayake recently achieved his dream of working in Australia, moving from his home country of Sri Lanka to take up a GP role at the Bridge Medical Centre in Narrabri, in rural NSW.
Dr Hasitha is excited about building a new life in Australia, and says the small community in Narrabri has been warm and welcoming to him and his wife:
“We’d never been to Australia before, but everyone here is so friendly. It’s a lovely place, quiet and welcoming, with plenty of wide-open spaces, very different to where we’ve come from. We’re really looking forward to exploring and sightseeing in the areas around our new home.”
Dr Hasitha was referred to DXC Medical in 2017, and together we’ve worked to help him complete and pass his PESCI exam, gain a 482 Visa, and secure his AHPRA Medical Registration.
“I was looking for an opportunity to practice medicine in a country with a high-quality healthcare system, and a great quality of life. Australia was our choice, as it offered exactly what we were after. I’m so grateful to Darren and the DXC Medical team for helping me to achieve my dream of living and working in this country,” says Dr Hasitha.
After building his General Practice skills in Sri Lanka, Dr Hasitha has been able to adjust to working as a GP in Australia…
“Everything is very systematic and well organised here, and there are big differences in the way we manage our records and even prescribe medicines, but I feel well supported in adjusting to the new systems. It’s great to be helping people within the local community.”
Dr Hasitha has been accepted onto the More Doctors for Rural Australia Program (MDRAP), and has also had support from DXC Medical in accessing relocation costs, obtaining medical indemnity insurance and setting up an Australian bank account.
“I’m so grateful to DXC Medical for helping me with the processes and paperwork to get this far. Darren has gone above and beyond in his support. Nothing was ever too much trouble, and he and the team were really friendly and great at keeping me informed and providing me with resources,” says Dr Hasitha.
Now that he’s settled in Narrabri, Dr Hasitha is working towards a fellowship with the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners, and in future would like to further his training - perhaps in the area of dermatology.
DXC Medical is committed to improving health outcomes within communities throughout Australia, by helping source high quality, long-term medical providers like Dr Hasitha to support remote and rural communities.
We wish Dr Hasitha every success in his new life in Narrabri.
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