By Laura Michell
Surgeon Fidel Touma credits his colleagues at Northern Hospital for helping him feel at home in Australia.
The consultant general surgeon arrived in Australia from Syria in July 2014 in search of a better life for his family.
In Syria, he worked as the director of surgery at the Assuqaylabiyah National Hospital in the Hama province. He was also the head of laparoscopic units in many other hospitals, and a pioneer of keyhole surgery in his province.
“It gave me a very good life – I didn’t want to leave,” Mr Touma said.
“That was until the war in 2011 destroyed everything.
“Everything was in short supply – resources were limited and we had only the basics for emergency situations.”
After three years of war, Mr Touma started looking for somewhere safe for his family to start a new life.
He said his family initially found it hard settling in Australia, with his children too young to understand what was happening.
Mr Touma also struggled to have his qualifications recognised.
“Everybody we contacted regarding my recognition as a surgeon here was not optimistic,” he said.
After taking part in a career guidance course at Melbourne Polytechnic, Mr Touma was able to secure a two-week observership at Northern Hospital in mid-2015.
“Everyone was very kind and ‘human’ at the Northern. I use this word because I started feeling at home and everyone was helpful and supportive,” Mr Touma said.
Mr Touma has since completed an international medical graduate fellowship at Northern Hospital.
“To me, this was a crucial part and key step of my journey. That put me on track again to restore my career. I started thinking and dreaming of a new pathway with lots of achievements and loving life again,” he said.
“I love to work in this hospital. This kind of collegial environment you can’t find anywhere else – I feel very much at home.”
