Paediatrician
Victoria | 2023 Australian of the Year
Dr Angraj Khillan migrated from India in 2004 and became the Royal Darwin Hospital’s paediatrician in 2007. He quickly made a difference, extending the fly-in fly-out paediatric service for Aboriginal children in remote communities.
In 2018 he co-founded the Health Awareness Society of Australia to dispel taboos, myths and misinformation about health. Its volunteers deliver sessions on topics from mental health to Covid-19 vaccinations in English, Hindi, Punjabi, Urdu and Arabic. Dr Raj also works to increase awareness of domestic violence and dowry abuse, and raises funds for philanthropy in India, East Timor, Australia and beyond.
My own Indian background helped me to understand the cultural sensitivity of how culture and tradition attach with each diagnosis, and how we perceive and follow the advice given by the medical professionals. So that’s when I started thinking that now is the time to make a difference.
Coffee mug and photograph
This coffee mug was given to Angraj by Millie, one of his patients. His work with children across the country, especially in remote and culturally diverse communities, has earned him the affectionate title, ‘King of the Kids’. Dr Raj, as he is known, began his journey to paediatrics while his own family was expanding. This photo shows him caring for his infant daughter while studying.
Coffee mug and photograph from Angraj Khillan
This exhibition was developed by the National Museum of Australia in collaboration with the National Australia Day Council. Portrait images supplied by the National Australia Day Council.
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