As part of our ‘Getting Personal with our Doctors’ series we posed some questions to Dr Sri.
Dr Sri, you have been in Singapore for a few months now. How does it compare to both UK and India as a place to live?
I feel it has the best of both the countries! Singapore is clean and organized like the UK. The public transport is good, as it is in London. At the same time, Singapore has warm weather and great food like India.
Why did you decide to specialize in paediatrics?
I love children and I enjoy the variety when working with them. I decided early on in my medical career that if I specialise, it would be paediatrics.
If you could paint a picture of any scenery you’ve seen before, what would you paint?
I used to paint a lot when I was a child. One of my favorite locations in terms of scenery is Switzerland. One picture that still stays in my mind is scenery I saw while travelling in a train. There were ice capped mountains on one side and lush green fields on the other with a stream running in between. Although I saw it many years ago, the scenery still lingers in my mind and I could easily paint it even now…
You trained in the UK. Did the weather get you down?
I should confess that I did not enjoy the weather in UK very much. Apart from the cold temperature, the days were very short during winters which were not to my liking. But the weather in spring and summer months was pleasant; the only complaint being it did not last long!
If you could learn to do anything, what would it be?
I would love to learn to paint professionally. 
I feel painting gives a means to express yourself and also provides relaxation. I hope that at some point in my life I will be able to paint more seriously.
What is your favorite aspect of Singapore so far?
It is such a multicultural society! It has already given me an opportunity to see and meet people from different countries. This gives us an opportunity to understand different cultures and traditions. I found the Chinese New Year celebrations fascinating and so different from my previous cultural experiences.
What book are you currently reading?
I like reading books on religion and philosophy. I try to read few verses of the Bhagavad Gita (also known as the Gita) every day. It is a dialogue between Lord Krishna and the warrior prince Arjuna in the epic battle of Mahabharata.
I draw guidance and inspiration from it in my day to day life.
Please describe your style as a Doctor.
I would describe myself as an empathetic and passionate doctor who loves working with kids.
Dr Sri Jakka completed his Paediatric degree in 2002, and underwent further training in the UK during which he obtained the Membership and Fellowship of Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health.
After completing his Fellowship he joined Alder Hey Children’s Hospital in the UK where he worked as a Consultant Paediatrician. Before moving to Singapore, he worked as a Consultant Paediatrician at Rainbow Children’s Hospital, Hyderabad. Dr Sri is based in IMC Camden. Please call: 6887 4440 to make an appointment.
