Dr. Sritharan Rao with his family and friends
The healthcare industry has provided endless services to the public throughout the pandemic. Understanding the increased demand for health services, Dr. Sritharan Rao, a General Practitioner, was determined to show his expertise in occupational health diseases as he introduced Klinic Mesra to Kedah in 2019. Quickly blending into the horrendous situation, Klinic Mesra recognized the need to aid the Kedah state by handling Swab tests, COVID Screenings, and many more. As a frontliner himself, Dr. Sritharan believe that no one in the healthcare industry should be disregarded, as they sacrificed the most throughout the pandemic. By joining the frontline force, Klinic Mesra actively finds ways to improvise the efficiency of providing healthcare services to the locals.
Being the only Kedah representative for the SEBA awards, Dr. Sritharan was proud to represent his state to receive such a prestigious accolade. Serving the community during the pandemic was never easy for any frontliner involved in the PKP operation, hence why Dr. Sritharan felt appreciated for their efforts in making Kedah a better environment than before. Although it is important to acquire courage, honesty, and bravery while treating the patients, the everchanging set of SOPs by the government, plus the need to meet the people’s demands deteriorated the mental health of the frontliners, as it required them to work day and night for it. Some might say that clinics and hospital are benefitting from the pandemic as people has been demanding its services. Sadly this does not apply to small businesses such as Klinic Mesra where they had to set aside the cost of PPE suits, Covid test and many more.
The powerhouse of Klink Mesra
Instead of just complaining about not having enough resources to deal with the vaccination demands, innovative brains from Klinic Mesra brainstormed the idea of having a drive-through vaccination service as an initiative to speed up the vaccination process. This idea showed its effectiveness and inspired other clinics and hospitals to do the same as Klinic Mesra. In addition, the idea led Klinic Mesra to receive an award from ProtectHealth, for their innovative drive-through vaccination; and a complimentary award from the Kedah health department for their continuous effort and support during the pandemic period.
Since SEBA brought in mega exposure for Klinic Mesra, especially in the northern region, Dr Sritharan aims to expand throughout Kedah by opening up many more branches and will be soon penetrating other states in the next five years.
As Dr. Sritharan stood tall with other awardees for the SEBA Awards, he shared his feeling to Kr8tif Express by stating, “I felt so honored to receive such recognition by SEBA. Finally, our efforts to the country have been appreciated, especially when we sacrificed so much for the public. Similar to every front liner, we were at the highest risk. It’s sad to come home with the worry of affecting my family, especially knowing that I have been in close contact with the viruses. At least with this award, it could justify all my work throughout the years.”
