March 12, 2009
For the love of kids
Dr Lourdes Mary Daniel, 51, a paediatrician at KK Women's and Children's Hospital, feels blessed working with children. The neonatologist and developmental paediatrician talks to POON CHIAN HUI
I decided to specialise in paediatrics because...
When I walked into the Paediatric East Ward in Singapore General Hospital as a medical student, I felt at home. There and then, I knew I wanted to work with children for the rest of my life.
Children are fascinating because...
They are so innocent and have so much potential. Their smiles light up your heart and make every effort worthwhile. In particular, babies are fascinating because they can't tell you what's wrong. Yet, they communicate so much with their behaviour and responses.
If I were to give an analogy for what I do, I'd be...
A detective, peering through a magnifying glass, looking for subtle clues in children to help me discover what is wrong.
I have come across all types of cases...
I look after sick and premature babies who need intensive care, as well as healthy newborns.
I run the Universal Newborn Hearing Programme, which detects hearing impairment in babies. Early detection ensures that they get help early or special education. I also look after premature children who need long-term follow ups for developmental problems.
I oversee the immunisation of healthy babies. In developmental pediatrics, I look after children who have developmental problems, such as autism and learning difficulties.
My youngest patient is a newborn. My oldest one will be sitting for the N-level exams this year. It is very rewarding to watch my patients grow up.
A typical day for me would be...
I start with administrative work at 7am, followed by hospital rounds at 8am in the intensive care unit (ICU) or the special care nursery. I also screen healthy babies in the post-natal wards and run my clinics, doing follow-ups or immunisation and health reviews of healthy babies.
In the afternoons, I run clinics for children with autism, developmental delay and learning difficulties. I also spend at least an hour daily educating medical students, doctors and nurses. If I'm rostered for night call, I return for a night round or emergencies. If not, I head home, usually between 6 and 7.30pm. I have dinner with my husband, who is a shipping consultant.
I love patients who are...
I love them all, from the sickest, smallest newborn in the ICU, to the bouncy, healthy babies in the post-natal ward. I love seeing children in my clinic who are well enough to be discharged. I love the older kids with developmental problems.
Most of all, I love the very tiny ones whose early illnesses leave them with developmental delay or learning difficulties. It's not their fault that they have a difficult time.
Patients who get my goat are...
Children rarely get my goat.
One little known fact about growing up is...
Introducing children to books should start from as early as six months and has a significant positive effect on later development. Let them play with the pages and throw the books around. They will learn that books are fun.
Things that put a smile on my face are...
Seeing a critically ill baby recover, watching the children grow and develop, seeing their smiles and knowing that they are coping in school. Also, I am always pleased to see my junior doctors do well - get a paper published, pass their exams, get promoted and become confident in their work. For me, this is an important part of the cycle of professional education.
It breaks my heart when...
A baby dies and I have to tell the parents that we have done everything medically possible for their child. After more than 25 years in practice, I still can't do that without wanting to cry.
I wouldn't trade places for the world because...
Being a paediatrician is the most blessed job in the world. I have the prized opportunity of seeing children every day.
My best tip...
Bloom where you are planted, love what you do and never stop learning.
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