University
Emilio Aguinaldo College

Current Year
Second

Medical Specialty Interested in
Neurology

Most Inspiring Person
My Father

Single Quality that defines a great Doctor
Empathy

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

During my time in primary school I was very interested in science. Whenever someone asked me who I want to become when I grow up, I always said I wanted to become a doctor. 

Therefore in secondary school I chose science stream; studied secondary education from Dharumavantha School and finished my secondary school in 2011. After that I joined CHSE to study higher secondary education and finished my higher secondary education in 2014. 

But since I wasn't able to get a good result in A'levels, I wasn't able to go and study medicine. So I decided to study A'level Biology, Chemistry and Physics again on my own with the help of tuition teachers. I redid A'level exams in the above mentioned subjects in 2015 and was able to get a good result. 

In 2016 with the help of Blek Foundation I was able to join Emilio Aguinaldo College, Manila, Philippines, to study medicine through pre-medicine program. 

Now I have finished my 1st year MD and will be starting my 2nd year MD in August 2019.

When did you first realize you wanted to study medicine?

Ever since I can remember, I am always eager to help those in need. So I would say that in primary school, I realized that I wanted to study medicine and become a doctor.

Take us through a typical study day.

My typical study day starts with me waking up to get ready and pray Fathis Prayer. Then after getting ready, I go to college. 

Classes start at 8 am in the morning and continues till 12 pm. From 12 to 1 pm is the lunch break and again from 1 to 5 or 6 pm, I have classes. 

If college wasn't busy at the end of the day after finishing classes, I go to gym. But since most of the days it's very busy, I usually rest or take a nap after classes for an hour or so. 

After waking up, I get back to studies, to do the assignments, revise that days lessons and prepare for exams. 

I then go to sleep for a couple of hours and again wake up to go to college. Even if I am busy I make sure to pray 5 times a day.

If you had a chance for a "do-over" in life, what would you do differently?

Study my A'levels much more focused, smarter and harder.

What is a skill required in medical school?

Byhearting. 

Because in medical school you will have to learn and remember a lot of things; like the name of the bones in the body, body parts, blood vessels and nerves, it's location and functions, and also the processes that occur in the body etc.

Name your favorite medical text book.

Clinical Anatomy by Regions, by Richard S. Snell, MD, PhD.

Do you usually get time to cook meals or do you eat outside?

In the weekends or holidays I do get time and cook meals at home. But during week days since I have college I eat from outside.

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

I wish I knew more in Anatomy and Physiology in my O'level and A'level. In O'level and A'level it is not taught much in detail. 

When I started medicine I faced difficulties in learning the lessons taught in these subjects as it goes in depth about the human body parts and it's processes and functions.

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

I think the Health Ministry and Maldives Medical and Dental Council (MMDC) needs to change the decision they made about not being able to join medicine through pre-medicine programs. 

I am sure like me there will be many students who want to become a doctor but fail to get an excellent result in A'level. And because of that, they are unable to join medicine directly. But that doesn't have to be the end of the road for them. 

In much more advanced countries and in many developing and developed countries, pre-medicine is accepted to join medicine. So why not in Maldives too? 

I know that in some of the pre-medicine programs offered by some universities and colleges, the standard is low and it is not acceptable. However, there are many other universities and colleges which offer higher standard and acceptable pre-medicine programs. 

So I urge the Health Ministry and Maldives Medical and Dental Council (MMDC) to re-think and make a decision which will allow those students to study medicine.

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

Medicine is not an easy course. It requires a lot of sacrifice, effort and determination. If you really want to be a doctor, go for it and study hard. 

More importantly study smart. Set a goal and follow it. If you are not able to follow it, evaluate your goal and make changes and try your best to achieve your goal. If there is a will, there is a way. 

There may be a million reasons to quit, and it will be a challenging path, but the ability to touch lives is an absolute privilege worth all the effort and sacrifice.

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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