University
Chittagong Medical College

Current Year
Fifth

Medical Specialty Interested in
Surgery, specially Neuro, Plastics, and Oncosurgery are my most anticipating sub-specialties.

One Word that Describes You
I think one word isn't sufficient to describe a person's whole personality. I think a doctor has to be impartial to the parties involved, adaptable to any situation confronted with, courteous to whoever he/she addresses to, empathetic to whoever seeks his/her help, intuitive therefore has to have a deeper knowledge and experience, and diligent therefore, sincere and lastly, humble to core. All of these may not describe me right now, but someday they all will.

Most Intriguing subject in Medical School
Anatomy, Pathology, General Surgery with the most in General Surgery.

What was your path to Medical School like?

I studied my O levels at Dharumavantha School, and I finished my A levels at CHSE. I worked at ADK as a Voluntary Clinical assistant for 6 months which was the first experience I got in the Health sector of the Maldives. 

After my results of A levels, my hopes and dreams of becoming a doctor faded. I started working as a Clinical Assistant at IGMH for another 6 months. 

After months of trying, I finally got my hopes rekindled by a very anticipated chance to study where I am right now. 

I had a very helpful acquaintance help me out with the applications. Finally, I set off on a voyage to fulfill my dreams of putting Dr. as my title.

I left to study MBBS at Chittagong Medical College in January of 2015. 

Like I mentioned before, from the moment I decided I'd be a doctor, I've set my eyes on the field of surgery. It has been a goal, ever since I was born with a Cavernous hemangioma in the neck. I've been in and out of hospitals since childhood, and got under the knife in my 2nd year in an attempt to remove it.

What was the biggest difference between your expectations of entering Med School when you were doing A'level, and the actual experience of being there?

Turns out, hard work at High School was not even close to the hours I am putting in Medical School trying to stay afloat. 

High school work were cut out; just one text book, just one line from that answer, and just a few notes from our teachers. 

Med school comprises of a lot of research, and keeping yourself up to date because new advancements in Medicine and Surgery are booming out every day. Books are updated every alternate years. 

I expected work, but the hours I am doing, it easily could out-weigh the studying I did my whole life until I came to Med school. 

How is your daily routine like?

I wake up around 5 am, pray and sleep a bit till 7 am. College is at 8 am till 2:30 pm. 

Afterwards I take lunch and snooze a bit. I then wake up and study for like 2-3 hours for the next day. 

Wards are at 6 pm again at the hospital, and I come back at 8 pm. 

Next, I cook dinner and maybe watch something on Netflix. 

I then go to sleep around 11 pm. 

What are some of the things you will have to give up as a doctor?

As a doctor, I think its mostly my time. My time for family, friends, and loved ones, which would need a lot of making up for them. 

Frankly I've missed out on my family's birthdays for 4.5 years now, and almost missed out on my only sister's wedding. It requires a lot of strength to be content with all of that. 

I missed out on their love, being in the moment of special days, and them growing. 

I miss them a lot. 

Why do you think some doctors are happy practicing medicine?

It's in our bones to help each other out. In my opinion, it goes way beyond just curing someone of their morbidity. 

Islam teaches us to save lives, help eradicate someone's misery. 

It's the satisfaction that we do the works that leads to the patient healing physically and mentally, by the will of ALLAH SWT. 

It's the satisfaction that doing something so noble, it mentally frees us, elevates us from being negative and help us sleep better at night.

Name your favorite medical text book.  

Bailey and Love's Short Practice of Surgery.

How do you help people that don’t want to be helped?

If anyone asks for help, they would want to hear us out. Convincing a patient after the necessary investigations are done is the hard task. 

As per my view, if the counselling is done right in all aspect of it, there is a very little room for chariness of the patient

What is the most effective way to study in Medical School?

DO NOT MEMORIZE. 

Go for understanding concepts. It may take a while but it would be harder to forget if you understood something. 

For me personally, I like listening to lectures because it's easier for me to understand when someone explains for me. 

I go through books after I get the gist because it takes less time and I understand better. I even go through YouTube videos explaining different topics I find harder to understand. 

Bottom line, it is not how much you spend studying, it's how effective it is. 

Everyone has their own way of learning, and by now everyone might have an idea. My advice would be to follow it.

Do you need High grades to become a decent doctor?

I am not a high achiever myself, but it depends on how much work you're willing to put in. Hard work really pays off, and I am the living embodiment of it. 

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

For everyone who want to be a doctor, make sure your motivation is intrinsic. I've seen a lot of people in this field to please their parents; that won't work. Med school is another grinding you don't want to take unless you're all in. 

For the ones who are sure, buckle up, its going to be one hell of a ride. But in the end, it will be totally worth it. Keep your expectations low but head aimed high. Be humble.

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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