University
International Medical University

Current Year
Fourth

Medical Specialty Interested in
I'm interested in both Internal Medicine and Surgery but I'm leaving my options open till my Internship

Most Inspiring Person
My Sister

Single Quality that defines a great Doctor
Kindness

First of all, walk us through the step-by-step processes that you went through to get to where you are today?

After my O/L's, my initial plan was to do a 1 Year Foundation in Science and enroll into Med-School. However, with my Parents and Family's advice, I saw it best to join CHSE and complete A/L's first. I believed it paves way for more opportunities in terms of Universities. Unfortunately, my A/L Grades weren't up-to par. 

This made me take a step back, get myself back-up from the blow and search within myself for the Passion I've been working towards. I needed a focus point in life then. I've always had a love for teaching, so during this period, I started giving tuition to secondary school, Science Students. My Family and Friends were a huge support for me during this time. I remember one thing my Mother said to me, "If you've a Dream, don't give up just yet. It's always too soon to give up and never too late to work towards it, so why don't you try once more? Maybe Allah has a better plan for you and I don't think giving up on being a Doctor is just that, not yet because hard-work always pays off." 

I thought to myself that if my parents believed in me, I can do it. I then applied for the Clinical Assistant Post in Hulhumale' Hospital. Not long after that, I heard about Malaysian University Fair and IMU, through a Friend. I went to the Fair and applied for the Foundation in Science Program (FiS) in IMU through their representatives. Exactly 1 Week after I applied for the Course, I received my Acceptance E-mail and just the following day, I got the call from Hospital saying I got the job (Mothers are always right!). 

I had a decision to make then. It was in May 2014 and I got into June 2014 intake of FiS. I made the decision to work and get some experience before I venture into the biggest adventure of life and I requested to defer my offer for their September 2014 intake. 

That was the best decision I took in my life. I enjoyed every moment of my work life in Hospital. I'd to come to work early before the Doctors come for duty, I get home late and I'd to work double-shifts meaning 16-Hours work days and I absolutely loved every minute of it. Making that decision and staying to work was what made me sure that being a Doctor is what I want to do for the rest of my life. It wasn't always easy but simple things such as seeing a Patient leaving the room with a smile or telling their Doctors how relieved they are after seeing them, were what made it worthwhile. I got my First Mentor (whom I will forever be thankful for) from the Hospital who gave me the real picture of what life would be like in Med-school and after that too. I've to say, it was much much easier said than done! 

Anyways, I worked until I'd to leave and then I started my FiS in IMU and got into Medicine just the year I finished Foundation. I started Medicine the same week I gave my last exam for FiS and today I am a 4th Year MBBS Student.

When did you first realize you wanted to study medicine?

I realized this when I was in Grade 8 and from that year on wards, I've only worked towards that one Goal. I've to be honest, being a Doctor wasn't my Childhood Dream. I've always wanted to become a Teacher ever since I was 10-years-old but a decade after that, starting my Med-school, I wouldn't have had it any other way.

Take us through a typical study day.

I always wake up at 6 AM, 5:30 AM some days if I've a class at one of the far-away Hospitals that we've to go for during some postings. After a quick breakfast, I try to be at the Hospitals by 7 AM or 8 AM, but never later than 8. I follow-up with my Patients before the Doctor comes, or find New Patients if I've a Morning Bed-Side Teaching Class. 

I'll be at the Hospital until 12 PM and then from 12 PM - 2 PM, will be our Lunch Break. I've Lunch with my friends during which, we usually discuss and prepare for whatever afternoon class we have. 

Afternoon from 2 PM - 5 PM, we've Task-Based Learning (TBL) Sessions where Students presents Topic Based Cases and discuss about it. After class, most of the days, I go back to the Hospital for on-call and follow-up with my patients or get new cases for a class the next day or to complete my Case Summaries and Case Reports. 

I usually come home by 7 PM or 8 PM. I take my Dinner once I come home and I usually read a book or watch a series while doing it. At around 9 PM, I start studying and I study until 12 AM or 1 AM and then go to bed.

How do you like to spend your free time?

I absolutely love reading fictional story books, so that is what I mostly do. My second favorite thing is watching Movies or Series (Though in all honesty, there's no such thing as free-time eh? Haha!)

Are there any students in your class that inspire you? Why?

Couple of my closest friends in my class and also a couple of them few batches senior to me, inspires me everyday to achieve this one goal we're all working towards everyday. 

This journey is not an easy road. They're training us to be the best at what we do and there never is a shortcut to achieve this. Seeing these people handle and cope at difficult times, how everyone's story is different as to why they want to become Doctors, reminds me to enjoy what I do. They constantly reminds me to find that Passion we started with but we loose sometimes, along the way. They remind me of how important it is to take-care of myself as well and if I do not do that, we won't be able to take care of anybody else. My friends inspire me to do better, to be better everyday.

Name your favorite medical text book.  

Gray's Anatomy - Drake, Vogl, Mitchell

Robbins Basic Pathology - Kumar, Abbas, Aster

How did you feel when you witnessed your first surgery?

The first surgery I witnessed was actually a Post-Mortem. I'm not sure whether it comes under the category of Surgery but this was the first time I saw a human-being, being cut-open and I can never forget the day. Post-Mortem procedures are very different from how normal surgeries are and I remember reminding myself that it's someone's Son or Brother or Father lying there. Forensics Pathology is maybe not for me but seeing inside of a real person, I actually understood why it's important for us to know everything about a body as there're so many things that could go wrong in a heart beat. I don't know how to describe the exact feelings, but it was the first day I got to hold and cut into a heart and a brain.

What do you know now that you wish you knew when you first started medical school?

The "weight" of the sacrifices we'll be making and we'll have to continue making! 

I was told by many Doctors, on multiple occasions, that I should only go for Medicine if this is what I really want to do. In a way, I suppose I was told about the sacrifices that'll be demanded off me but unless until someone first-handedly experiences it, no one can even come close to imagining the burden of it. 

Thank the Lord that I've Family and Friends that understands this cause I cannot imagine having to explain why I'm too exhausted to talk after a 12-hours working day, though as rare as it maybe, sometimes it is difficult to make people see it. 

What do you think needs to change in the health industry of the Maldives today?

I think Patient-Centred Care and Holistic Care is what we need in our Health System today. We do not have a well established Primary Health Care System in the country due to which there's increased burden on the Tertiary Facilities and the Specialists. The waiting lists are never ending, which shouldn't be in the first place. I believe, a well developed Primary Care would open doors to educating our Patients, give ample time with Patients to talk to them, explain to them, let them ask questions and console them. 

As a first line of care, there's a lot of things we can do as prevention as we all know, prevention is always better than treatment. This will help in managing patients with early intervention, keep a close monitor on patient's conditions and reduce the unnecessary burdens on Specialists which can be managed and taken care of at Primary Level and it should be established all over the country and not just in the Capital. This can help in reducing the cost and saves patients from having to wait in a long list and then be bumped up to a long queue, be it to consult or to have an investigation done. This will decrease the delay in treatment as cases which requires priority can be identified earlier before it's too late. Some people who might have to travel from their islands will have ample time to prepare and better yet, with a well established system, they might not even need to travel and spend extra cost on travel and stay and get treated where-ever they are and recover in the comfort of their own homes surrounded by family.

Finally, what is the one tip/advice you want to give to our readers?

Never ever study Medicine for your Parents, for your Family or even for the Name or the Money. None of it is worth it until being a Doctor is the only thing you see yourself doing. It's not a smooth sail, there're lots of pitfalls and heart-breaks and disappointments but as long as you believe in yourself and know that you can overcome it, you will! If you don't know something, anything, always ask, because we're learning today and it might be a bit late tomorrow! Never think you've learnt enough, always believe there's room for more; more knowledge, more improvement! The waves may not be smooth but after the journey, you'll become one hell of a sailor! 

The My Medical Student Life series was created for the sole purpose of helping medical students and aspiring doctors on their journey to become a successful Maldivian Healthcare Professional. Have a suggestion, idea or question? Email us.

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