A medical specialist, he went on to obtain a law degree, the Certificate in Legal Practice and a master’s degree in law while practising medicine.
Dr Tharmaseelan served in government hospitals for 25 years, training dozens of specialists, before venturing into private practice. “I have seen my friends and relatives struck by dementia, which virtually ‘eats up’ the patient’s brain, before his or her ability to function is lost forever. “In addition to this, one must devote time to spiritual pursuits from a young age. We must never forget to pay homage and gratitude to God for having granted us this life and taking care of us,” he said.
He recently completed 11 courses in dementia, religion, psychology and bioethics to “make full use of the MCO”.“We grew up on Jalan Raja Muda Abdul Aziz, a street wedged between Chow Kit and Kampung Baru. My mother was a housewife and my father was a clerk with the British Volunteer Forces. When the force was disbanded during the Japanese occupation, he opened a mini-market,” he shared, recalling his childhood years.