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“I believe that’s what lifeshould be about: helpingothers and being closeto loved ones. It’s whatmakes one’s life complete.”“We wanted to be there during important life milestones.It was emotionally tough when I had to miss my brother’swedding and my grandfather’s funeral. With our parentsgrowing older, we wanted to be near them when theyneeded us. Our children, too, were growing up and wedidn’t want them to forget our roots,” he recalls.After discussing with his wife, Dr Zul started looking foropportunities to return to Malaysia. He received variousoffers, including from a university and a public hospitalbut that was not he wanted.When Pantai Hospital Ipoh offered him the opportunityto establish the oncology department in mid 2012, hedecided to check it out.“Ipoh was no longer the quiet little town I visited a longtime ago as a student. Although it has grown, with betterinfrastructure and more development, it still retains itsunique charm and signature identity with the limestonestructures and laid-back society.“The hospital’s Chief Executive Officer (who was thenthe Chief Operating Officer), Anwar Anis, and his teambrought me for a tour around the hospital and explainedtheir vision and mission. What struck me was how thehospital staff all knew each other, greeting each other inthe lifts and along corridors. Everyone was like one bigfamily!” recalls Dr Zul fondly.More importantly, the hospital had all the essentialservices and facilities necessary for a dedicated medicaloncology centre. Within two months, the family was allpacked to go. Thus begins a brand new chapter in theyoung doctor’s life, on home ground.a whole new worldLike most children, his children, aged four and ten,adapted quickly to the change. His eldest son, Adam, evensays he likes it better here as he could get pocket moneyfor school, compared to his school in Ireland that did nothave a school canteen.28 Profiles