Prominent Territory medical practitioner, Dr Sadhana Mahajani has been awarded an Honorary Doctorate during Charles Darwin University’s mid-year graduation ceremony held recently (21 May) on the Casuarina campus in Darwin.
A Doctor of Science, Honoris Causa, was conferred in recognition of Dr Mahajani’s outstanding contribution and long-term dedication to improving the health and wellbeing of Territorians.
Dr Mahajani was born in India to parents who were both doctors. She achieved her medical degree in England and in 1972 came to Darwin with husband Arun.
Dr Mahajani was first employed to provide medical checks to school children in the Darwin region and in 1974 was instrumental in establishing the first Community Health Centre in Peel Street.
After Cyclone Tracy she continued to provide medical services from a demountable building in the grounds of the old Berrimah Primary School and also made bush visits to remote locations such as LaBelle Station, Annaburroo and Daly River. It was during this time that Dr Mahajani began providing Pap smears to Indigenous and remote women.
Through the 1980s and 1990s while working with the Aged Care Assessment Team, she also devoted her time as a physician to a variety of public health services including drug rehabilitation services, palliative care, women's cancer prevention, breast screening and sexual assault services.
Dr Mahajani was instrumental in validating the Kimberly Indigenous Cognitive Assessment Tool across the Northern Territory. This tool assists professionals in diagnosing dementia in Indigenous patients.
In addition to the presentation of Dr Mahajani’s Honorary Doctorate, the mid-year graduation ceremony saw more than 500 students receive formal recognition of the successful completion of their studies in the higher education and Vocational Education and Training sectors.