Dr Sandhya is a highly experienced Obstetrician and Gynaecologist with more than 35 years of clinical practice and over three decades of leadership across diverse healthcare systems. She brings a strong commitment to women-centred care and is a passionate advocate for improving health outcomes for women globally.
Her clinical expertise spans high-risk obstetrics, gynaecological laparoscopic and minimally invasive surgery, cancer prevention, and subfertility care, with a particular interest in advancing innovative approaches such as robotic surgery. Throughout her career, she has delivered comprehensive care across a wide range of settings, including both resource-limited environments and leading tertiary and quaternary institutions.
Dr Sandhya has an extensive international background, having trained and worked in Australia, India, England, and Papua New Guinea. She holds undergraduate and postgraduate medical qualifications from these regions and has received multiple academic honours, including two gold medals. She further advanced her surgical expertise through specialised training in laparoscopic gynaecology at a globally recognised centre in Germany.
In addition to her clinical work, Dr Sandhya is a dedicated educator and mentor. She has contributed to medical education for over 30 years, including her role as Senior Lecturer in Reproductive Health at James Cook University. She continues to support the development of future clinicians through teaching, training, and examination preparation programs.
Her leadership experience includes establishing Papua New Guinea’s first gynaecological laparoscopy unit and performing the country’s first laparoscopic gynaecological procedure. She has also contributed to national health initiatives, including infection control programs and cervical cancer prevention strategies. Her work in developing clinical protocols and multidisciplinary care pathways has had a lasting impact on patient care standards.
Dr Sandhya has an extensive portfolio of academic contributions, including international publications, contributions to global clinical guidelines, and co-editorship of a textbook in uro-gynaecology. She has also been involved in innovation aimed at improving surgical safety.
As a Board Director, Dr Sandhya brings a unique combination of clinical excellence, global health experience, and a deep commitment to advocacy. She is dedicated to advancing equitable access to care, strengthening health systems, and supporting initiatives that empower women and improve their health and wellbeing.
