Dr Catherine Thamarai Arumugam

Dr Catherine Thamarai Arumugam is currently attached to the Family Health Discipline, Department of Social and Preventive Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Malaya as a Medical Lecturer with a specialisation in Public Health Medicine.

Her past publications speak of her interest in research on early childhood development, infectious diseases and her love for poetries. In an unwavering effort to create a safe media environment for thriving children – she is interested in further exploring the dynamics of technology, toddlers and family relationships.

A medical degree holder from Universitas Sumatera Utara, Indonesia – her journey as a junior doctor started at the Sungai Buloh Hospital which is also the national referral centre for infectious disease. Upon completion of housemanship training, she went on to serve as a Medical Officer in Charge of a maternal child health clinic in the district of Temerloh, Pahang.

The responsibility entrusted granted her invaluable experience especially in the domains of maternal child health and disaster preparedness – stirring the passion towards public health. Dr Catherine went back to Temerloh District Health Office with a Doctorate in Public Health from Universiti Malaya – serving as an Epidemiology Officer, heading the Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Unit during the COVID-19 rampage. Her major tasks revolved around surveillance, outbreak response, training activities and playing the role of liaison officer for the state-level CDC department.