MEET DR SOMAS
Dr Somaskandar Sivasuntharam or Dr Somas is an obstetrician and gynaecologist at Gleneagles Penang. As a parent himself, Dr Somas knows that having children of your own is one of the best things in life.
As a women’s health specialist, Dr Somas offers his medical knowledge and skills to women who want to get pregnant and become mothers.
Our hero! Thanks Dr Somas for being a great gynae!”
– Mr & Mrs Andrew Chia, Penang
He welcomes women of all ages who are looking for a caring, friendly and understanding doctor for their women’s health issues such as ovarian cysts, uterine fibroids, endometriosis, irregular periods and more. Check this gynaecological services list.
This Doctor Can Salsa
Dr Somas is the kind of doctor you’ll enjoy meeting with as he is ever ready with a smile.
Dr Somas speaks English, Malay, Tamil, Bahasa Indonesia and a smattering of Hokkien (after all, he is born and bred in Penang).
When he isn’t busy with his patients, Dr Somas enjoys a spot of dancing with salsa and Latin dance being his favourites. A big lover of the outdoors and sports such as golf, squash and swimming, he also loves holidaying with his daughter and wife (who is a paediatrician).
He enjoys connecting with his friends and patients on Facebook and on Instagram. Do follow him on these two social media platforms.
Volunteer, Teacher & Researcher
Though he is a busy obstetrician and gynaecologist, he finds time to volunteer actively in the community. He is a medical doctor with the Malaysian Red Crescent Society, Penang branch as well as the Secretary of the Penang Medical Practitioners Society (PMPS).
He also helps out with charity clinics run by organizations such as the Divine Life Society and Temple of Fine Arts as well as medical camps organized by The Lions Club.
Dr Somas’ community involvement includes speaking to the public about health issues such as contraception, menopause, breastfeeding and food allergies.
Dr Somas is also kept busy as a senior lecturer in Obstetrics & Gynaecology at Penang Medical College where he has been teaching fourth year medical students since 2007. He is currently its honorary senior lecturer and college examiner.
Aside from teaching and volunteering with the community, Dr Somas is a keen researcher. He has conducted research projects with Penang Medical College’s twining colleges, RCSI, UCD and National Maternity Hospital, Dublin and presented his research findings at international medical conferences. His research has also been published in local and international journals.
Dr. Somas is also a member of the Obstetrical & Gynaecological Society of Malaysia, Malaysian Medical Association, Perinatal Society of Malaysia, Society for Anti-Aging and Aesthetic Medicine Malaysia (SAAAMM) and World Endometriosis Society. He was invited to join as a member of the Academy of Medicine Malaysia in 2008. Learn more about his involvement in medical organizations and community work.
A Family of Doctors
Dr Somas comes from a family of doctors in Penang. His grandfather was a doctor. His father, Dr Sivasundaram ran his own clinic, Siva Clinic, in Bukit Mertajam for many years until he retired. It was natural that Dr Somas followed his family’s footsteps.
After he completed his secondary education in Cheltenham College in the United Kingdom, he enrolled in Kasturba Medical College, Mangalore, India where he graduated as a doctor in 1991.
He began his training in Obstetrics and Gynaecology in 1995 at Ipoh General Hospital when he returned to Malaysia. In 2002, he received his post graduate qualification from University Malaya.
When he came back to his beloved island of Penang in 2002, he worked as a clinical specialist at the Penang General Hospital.
Helping Women Get Pregnant
As he is committed to giving his patients better medical assistance and care, he decided to pursue further training in gynaecologic endoscopic surgery (laparoscopic surgery or minimally invasive surgery) at the Indian Institute of Laparoscopic Surgery Research & Training Centre-Coimbatore, India as well as in In-Vitro Fertilisation (IVF) at Bangalore Assisted Conception Centre and at National University Hospital, Singapore.
In September 2008, Dr Somas joined Gleneagles Penang as a consultant obstetrician and gynaecologist, specifically in reproductive medicine (helping women get pregnant) and is a proponent of minimally invasive surgery methods such as key hole surgery (useful in treating ectopic pregnancies, endometriosis, ovarian cysts and more).
If you are willing to give it a try, Dr Somas may be able to give you some options about getting pregnant. Here are some women who have achieved pregnancy success.
Dr Somas
Consultant Obstetrician & Gynaecologist
