Why I became Catholic: Dr Michael Tandon speaks with The Record’s Debbie Warrier.
By Debbie Warrier
I am a respiratory doctor at Hollywood Private Hospital in Nedlands and president of the Catholic Doctors Association. I was born a Hindu. My first introduction to the Catholic faith happened when I went to a Catholic school in Fiji where my father was posted from India. Being in a Catholic school we all went to church and were introduced to the faith. I went to Mass which is the ultimate in prayer.
Catholicism appealed to me and I believe my attraction was guided by the Spirit. From the age of 14 I kept practising the faith. When we returned to India in 1952, I continued my schooling in Catholic institutions until I entered a medical college.
While studying I considered going into the Indian administrative service.
However, the following year my whole philosophy of life and thinking changed which I can only attribute to God. I decided to do medicine to serve humanity.
I wanted to help my poor countrymen in India but didn’t get the opportunity and had to go to the UK for further studies instead. From there I migrated to Australia, employed by Veteran Affairs who brought me out here in 1967. I worked in Melbourne for two and a half years. Then I moved to Perth to work for Veteran Affairs at Hollywood Hospital where I have worked since 1969. I converted formally to Catholicism in 1973.
In 2002 I had the opportunity to get involved with an organisation called “Equal Health.” Since that time I have gone every year to conduct medical camps with the organisation in remote villages in South India. They last for a fortnight, though I work a bit longer. On an average day we see about 150 patients. It sounds like a large number but the demand is there and we don’t turn anyone away if we can help it. We only provide the very basic needs but over the years you develop a certain feeling as to what is wrong with the patient, what they require and you act on those quick examinations.
Since 2006 I have been keen to develop a broader organisation of Catholic health professionals.
The medical services are quite appropriately covered by Medicare but other health services such as dental, physiotherapy; podiatry and occupational therapy are not. To some extent psychology is covered by Medicare but not completely. Unless you can afford to pay for these services privately, you can’t access them.
I would like to form a Catholic Health Professionals Fellowship that provides these multidisciplinary services either free or heavily subsidised. This will be determined by members. I have discussed formation of this fellowship with Archbishop Barry Hickey who is very supportive to the extent that he had kindly given us a grant of $5000. So far three or four health professionals from these areas have joined. Some start is better than no start. Those interested in joining can contact me on 0402 113 985. I am in the process of organising a meeting. The Lord will guide us.
I am fortunate being in the medical profession as we are given the opportunity to serve as our Lord taught us. As the Bible says, “Whatever you have done for one of the least of my brothers, you did for me.” [Matthew 25: 40]
If you have a story to tell please contact
Debbie via debwarrier@hotmail.com