Hospital 
ADK Hospital

Current Year 
Pre-Internship

Medical Specialty Interested in 
Nephrology

One Word that Describes You 
Passionate

Most Intriguing subject in Medical School 
Physiology

Note: The Pre-Internship year is a requirement for students that study in China, to complete their course. The student will graduate after the Pre-Internship year, and proceed with completing the Internship year required by the Maldives Medical and Dental Council (MMDC).

What was your path to Medical School like?

I studied from First grade until my O'Level year in Thaa atoll Education center, Th.Thimarafushi. I then went to capital Male' to join CHSE for my A'Levels. Afterwards, I went back to my island for a year, to work as a tutor for O'Level students.

I applied to the Access Grant Scheme government scholarship and won it. It was to any country of my choice for Medicine. However, since I did not study Physics in High school, I could not apply to any South Asian countries.

I heard about Dalian Medical University through a friend. Since he was planning to go, I decided to go there as well. We applied through an online portal called CUCAS, that helps foreign students study in China. 

After 4.5 years in China, I decided to go to Christian Medical College (CMC) in Vellore, India, for my Pre-Internship. The clinical training I got there was amazing. They have a 3-month electives program for international students and is easy to apply to. You just have to email them through the website. For the remaining 9 months, I came back to Maldives to work in ADK Hospital, and it has been 5 months so far.

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?

Actually, I had no idea how Medical school was going to be like. I did not have many friends at that time who were in Medical school. Yet, I always heard that it was going be difficult.

After I got to China, the one thing that surprised me was the language barrier. It was hard at first. However, since Dalian has a large Maldivian student community, they helped us a lot with everything. In a couple of months I too managed to learn the language and it became easier.

How is your daily routine like?

Friday is our only holiday for the week. Currently I am working in the surgery department, which is really interesting in this hospital.  

Usually, I wake up at 7:45 am and go to the hospital before the Out-Patient-Department (OPD) begins at 9 am. I would get the doctor's room ready first thing in the morning. Then I would go for surgeries. They would be posted according to the doctor's schedule and it could be 2 or 3 in a day. 

The doctor would teach me a lot during both the OPD and Surgery. He/she would also give us areas to study for the next day. I would go for major surgeries such as Laparoscopic Cholecystectomy, Hernia repairs & Appendectomy. With the patient's consent, I get to scrub in and see the surgery. Since I am still a student, I do not get to touch the patients. 

Some people think that it is in surgery you learn everything. However, in the OPD you learn actual medical skills you need as a clinical officer such as history taking and how to approach a diagnosis.

By the time I finish it could be 5 pm or even 9 pm. It all depends on the number of surgeries posted for the day.

How was your first year like?

Studying in Medical school is different to studying in A'Levels. At first you don't know what to focus on or how to study a specific subject. 

In the first year, our syllabus is heavily focused on Anatomy and Chinese. I would study from several books provided by the university and then relate them all together. The first year was not that difficult.

Name your favorite medical text book.  

Davidson's Principles & Practice of Medicine.

What books, films or other media come to mind as having been particularly important to your field?

Dr. Najeeb's videos are amazing. I watch them on a regular basis and mostly watch his Physiology videos. The Neuroanatomy videos are very long, so if you have the time then only watch them. Yet, you can learn a lot and know the concept very well.

Dr. Najeeb's videos are time-consuming but worth it.

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

Visual learning is the most effective. It helped me a lot.

First, read about the topic from the textbook. Then watch a video about the topic. Next, note down what you don't know and assess yourself. Finally, remember to revise daily. 

One last thing I would do is teach the topic to someone. I found it very useful.

Do you need High grades to become a decent doctor?

You just need to be an average student, who is willing to work hard. You should be willing to give time to study, and willing to give Medicine the effort it requires. 

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

If you think that you should be a doctor, do it if only you want to be one. Don't do it because your parents or relatives want you to pursue Medicine. 

You should be passionate and enthusiastic about Medicine. Pursue something you love. This way you will succeed if you work hard. 

Finally, don't let someone's voice distract you from your path and destiny. There will be people who criticize you because of your university choice or because of your grades. However, it's your personal effort that matters in the end.

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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