Dr Kumuthiny (Kumi) Kalaialagan is a General Paediatrician with 19 years of working experience in General Paediatrics and Neonatology. Dr Kumi graduated with MBBS in 2003 with a gold medal in Paediatrics. Dr Kumi served as an intern medical officer, Registrar and Fellow at the Lady Ridgeway Children Hospital in Colombo (tertiary care children’s hospital) for altogether five years. She had completed her MD Paediatrics (Doctor of Medicine-Paediatrics) in 2010 at Colombo University, Sri Lanka.
Dr Kumi had extensive experience in acute paediatrics and complex and chronic paediatric medical problems during this period. In addition, she worked with subspeciality teams such as paediatric cardiology, paediatric endocrinology, paediatric neurology, nutrition, paediatric nephrology, and paediatric rheumatology. Furthermore, Dr Kumi has worked in Neonatal and Paediatric Intensive Care Units and gained more comprehensive experience in procedural skills and treating seriously ill newborns and children with multiple complex medical problems. Dr Kumi worked as a Consultant Paediatrician and Lecturer in Paediatrics in Sri Lanka before migrating to Australia.
Dr Kumi now has ten years of work experience in Australia and has completed her Paediatric training in Australia and holds a Fellowship in Paediatrics (FRACP), Diploma in Child Health (Sydney), and a Certificate in Emergency Medicine (Australasia). She worked in regional and metropolitan hospitals in NSW during her Fellowship training in Australia. Dr Kumi has broader experience working in Emergency Paediatrics, paediatric wards, special care nurseries, developmental clinics, and indigenous clinics. She has a passion for providing the ultimate and tailored care for children considering their family and cultural background. Dr Kumi has good experience working in a multi-cultural environment and respects cultural diversity. Dr Kumi holds a Conjoint Lecturer position at Western Sydney University, and she loves teaching. Currently, she is a Staff Specialist (Paediatrician) in Central Coast Local Health District.
Dr Kumi’s special interests are common newborn issues like unsettled babies, Gastroesophageal reflux disease, settling issues, feeding intolerance, sleep difficulties, developmental concerns, and acute medical problems. Dr Kumi has worked in developmental clinics and has a deeper understanding and managing experience in Autism Spectrum Disorder, Attention Deficit and Hyperactivity Disorder, Speech difficulties, sensory issues, sleep disorders, emotional dysregulation, Anxiety, Depression, and other common childhood developmental and behavioural disorders. Dr Kumi is ADOS (Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule) trained. She has a thorough understanding of the Australian system,which helps children with multiple needs. She is interested in helping parents and children in need receive the best support from the system as early as possible.
Dr Kumi has been a national award winning author and medical writer, providing clinical material in a simple form that parents and carers could understand. Dr Kumi loves spending quality time with her two children and family. She enjoys gardening and reading books.
