IS THERE A DOCTOR IN THE HOUSE? Navy Today meets Dr Nikhilesh Todkari, a GP who was inspired to join the Navy and undertake the new Naval Reserve Common Training course.
Four years ago, Dr Nikhilesh Todkari was taking a lunch break from a GP’s medical conference in Auckland. There was the usual range of stalls outside the venue, for pharmaceuticals and medical equipment, but it was a large Defence Force banner that brought him to a halt. “We’re looking for doctors,” said the soldier at the Defence Force recruitment stand, and started into his pitch. Dr Todkari stopped him. He was not born in New Zealand, but was a Permanent Resident. He also wondered if he was over the age bracket to start a Navy career. The soldier said, “No, you’re not, you’re fine.” With great enthusiasm, Dr Todkari put an application in that same evening. “As a doctor I spend time in a clinic – that’s what I know. I asked him about deployments and he told me we need doctors to go to places like the Pacific Islands. It was the uniqueness and diversity of this role that captured my interest, along with the privilege of serving the country.”
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Navy Today #270
Dr Todkari is a man who knows how to give value and juggles multiple roles. He works as a GP at Ropata Medical Centre in Lower Hutt, is a Skin Cancer Specialist at the Vein and Skin Clinic, and provides remote consultation for rest home care in Taranaki. “It’s very hard to get doctors in the regions to cover rest homes. I do weekly checkins with the nurse, speak to rest home residents and their families via Zoom. Once a month I fly up there to conduct ward rounds and provide availability in person.” In addition to this, Dr. Todkari is also on a roster for the NZ Police across the Wellington region, providing medical assistance. Dr Todkari put in his application to join the Regular Force, and was eyeing up the Navy because his wife was looking at a job in Auckland. However, she secured a great job in Wellington which required a change to their initial plan. “Someone suggested the Naval Reserves. I could still be based in Wellington, without having to leave my job or relocate the family, but I could attend the Reserve unit every week and fly up to Devonport for duties. That sounded perfect!”