Draft:Dr. Indu Chandrasekaran

Dr. Indu Chandrasekaran
Born	19 March 1971 Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala, India
Nationality	Indian
Residence	Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
Alma mater	Government Medical College, Thrissur Ryazan State Medical University (Russia) University of South Wales (UK) Sabarmati University
Occupation	Physician, clinical consultant, medical educator, public health writer
Institution	Jeddah National Hospital
Known for	Development of the internal medicine division at Jeddah National Hospital, hospital healthcare quality accreditations, digital health awareness broadcasting

Dr. Indu Chandrasekaran (born 19 March 1971) is an Indian physician specialising in internal medicine. She has practiced medicine in Saudi Arabia for more than two decades and is associated with Jeddah National Hospital, Jeddah, where she contributed to the establishment and development of the Department of Internal Medicine. Her professional work encompasses clinical medicine, healthcare quality improvement, hospital accreditation, medical education, and public health awareness.

Early life and education

Dr. Indu Chandrasekaran was born in Thiruvananthapuram (Trivandrum), Kerala, India, into a family of medical professionals. Her father, Dr. T. Chandrasekaran Nair, is a cancer specialist, and her mother is a radiologist.

She received her schooling at Holy Angels’ Convent School, Thiruvananthapuram, Providence Girls’ Higher Secondary School, Kozhikode, and St. Joseph’s Higher Secondary School, Alappuzha. She completed her pre-degree education at St. Mary’s College, Thrissur, before obtaining her MBBS degree from Government Medical College, Thrissur.

She later earned an MD in Internal Medicine from Ryazan State I.P. Pavlov Medical University, Russia. She subsequently completed a Fellowship in Medical Emergencies (Singapore), a Professional Diploma in Healthcare Administration from King’s College, a Diploma in Diabetology, a Postgraduate Diploma in Endocrinology from the University of South Wales, and a Master of Public Health (MPH) from Sabarmati University.

Career

Dr. Indu Chandrasekaran began her medical career as a Tutor in Medicine at Government Medical College, Thrissur. She later worked as a Casualty Medical Officer at Indira Gandhi Memorial Hospital, Maldives, before pursuing postgraduate training in Russia.

Following completion of her postgraduate studies, she joined KIMS Hospital, Thiruvananthapuram. She subsequently relocated to Saudi Arabia and joined Jeddah National Hospital, where she became one of the founding physicians of the Department of Internal Medicine.

Her clinical practice includes the management of infectious diseases, diabetes mellitus, endocrinological disorders, critical care medicine, and complex internal medicine cases. She has also played an active role in healthcare quality initiatives, participating in ISO, Joint Commission International (JCI), and Saudi Central Board for Accreditation of Healthcare Institutions (CBAHI) accreditation programs.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, Dr. Indu was involved in the treatment of a large number of patients while also participating in public health education. She launched the Facebook-based program H&E Live – Coffee Chat with Dr. Indu Chandra, through which she interviewed personalities from medicine, literature, arts, business, and public life.

Apart from clinical practice, she contributes to continuing medical education, writes medical articles and public health columns, and regularly participates in health awareness initiatives through newspapers, digital media, television, and social media platforms.

Achievements

Dr. Indu was bestowed with an Honorary Doctorate (Honoris Causa) in Infectious Diseases and Public Health by Kennedy University in recognition of her contributions to infectious diseases, public health, medical education, and healthcare.

Dr. Indu was recognized as the Best Outgoing Student at Ryazan State I.P. Pavlov Medical University.

She has received several COVID-19 Warrior Awards in recognition of her contribution during the COVID-19 pandemic and is an IFEA awardee. She was also invited as a delegate to the NORKA Global Summit organized by the Government of Kerala.

She is the author of A Maldivian Extravaganza: A Nostalgic Collection of Childhood Memories, scheduled for publication.

She also holds a diploma in Mentalism and practices hypnosis.

Professional interests

Her professional interests include:

• Internal medicine
• Diabetology
• Endocrinology
• Healthcare quality management
• Patient safety
• Medical education
• Preventive medicine
• Lifestyle medicine

Outside medicine, her interests include yoga, literature, public speaking, mentalism, hypnosis, and cultural activities. She is pursuing formal training in yoga and actively promotes healthy living through public awareness programs.

Philanthropy and advocacy

Dr. Indu has been involved in public health awareness and charitable initiatives throughout her career. She advocates preventive healthcare, healthy lifestyles, and community health education through lectures, print media, digital platforms, and social media.

She has also spoken publicly about the welfare of orphaned children. One of the most significant personal experiences in her life involved a sponsored child from Christina Orphanage Home, Thrissur, whom she had planned to adopt despite already having a son. The child later died in her arms at Jubilee Mission Hospital, Thrissur. Dr. Indu has described the incident as a defining moment in her life that strengthened her commitment to the welfare of orphaned and underprivileged children.

Since then, she has encouraged the adoption of and care for orphaned children, emphasizing that every child deserves the opportunity to grow up in a loving family, irrespective of whether prospective parents already have biological children.

Family

Dr. Indu comes from a family with a strong medical background. Her father, Dr. T. Chandrasekaran Nair, is a cancer specialist, and her mother is a radiologist. She has one younger brother, an automobile engineer and MBA graduate, who works in Dubai, United Arab Emirates.

She is married to Noushad Chathalloor, a businessman based in Saudi Arabia.

She has three children. Her eldest son, Saurav, is a Major in the Indian Army and a radiologist. He is married to Krishnapriya, a prosthodontist, and they have a son, Nivaan. Her daughter, Saavariya Chandni, is pursuing a medical degree in Italy. Her youngest son, Shayaan, is studying in the 10th standard.

Personal life

Dr. Indu Chandrasekaran has lived and worked in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, for more than twenty years.

She has spoken about overcoming personal and professional challenges while remaining committed to lifelong learning and patient care. She continues to pursue higher education and professional certifications in addition to her clinical practice.

She maintains an active lifestyle and promotes yoga, physical fitness, preventive healthcare, and healthy living. Through lectures, media appearances, and social media, she encourages regular exercise, healthy dietary practices, and disease prevention.

In addition to medicine, she writes English poetry and medical articles and has contributed to health education through newspapers, online platforms, and public discussions.

She is a trained Bharatanatyam and Mohiniyattam dancer. After a gap of approximately 35 years, she returned to the stage to perform a Bharatanatyam recital, which received positive appreciation from audiences.

Her dedication to medicine has influenced her family, with both her eldest son and daughter pursuing careers in medicine. Her daughter has publicly described Dr. Indu Chandrasekaran as her greatest source of inspiration and motivation, citing her work ethic, perseverance, and commitment to lifelong learning.

See also

• Internal medicine
• Public health
• Healthcare in Saudi Arabia
• Non-Resident Keralites Affairs

External links

• Jeddah National Hospital – Department of Internal Medicine