Former AMA chief recovering from brutal bashing
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Dr Mukesh Haikerwal: Surgery to remove a blood clot. (AFP: William West, file photo)
The former head of the Australian Medical Association (AMA) is recovering from emergency brain surgery after he was bashed at the weekend.
Doctor Mukesh Haikerwal was attacked near Dennis Reserve in Williamstown on Saturday night.
He has had surgery to remove a blood clot.
Federal Health Minister Nicola Roxon says it was a brutal attack on a man who has spent his life helping others.
"I am very distressed to hear of this brutal attack and on behalf of the Government I wish Mukesh a very speedy recovery and we are certainly thinking of his family," she said.
Ms Roxon says she hopes he continues to recover well.
"Mukesh has been a real leader in the health debate, from his years as an AMA president and was recently appointed to our Health and Hospital Reform Commission and these sort of brutal attacks, I mean really it couldn't have happened to a more gentle person."
The Victoria president of the AMA, Doctor Doug Travis, says Dr Haikerwal is now conscious and his condition is improving.
"I saw Dr Haikerwal yesterday and he was in reasonably good spirits, we had a very short conversation as he was reasonably tired and needed his rest," he said.
"But he recognised me and could move all his limbs so hopefully he is going to make a full recovery."
