“The doctor said that the placenta is detached and the baby was in a blood pool, suffocating!” The decision to perform a Caesarian section was made in a split second. When I heard this, my doctor thanked God and me for saving my baby. He was only a 1kg premature baby boy. I named my son ‘Jeeva,’ which in Sanskrit means ‘life. My mother said these words when she described her difficult delivery in Kinshasa, my birthplace. After hearing this, it became clear that the quick decision of a doctor had affected my life long before I was even born. My desire to study Medicine was born out of my experiences as a child in the DR Congo. Diarrhea was one of the most common symptoms of Ebola and Malaria. Lack of safe water and sanitation is to blame for the prevalence of these preventable diseases. Although I am not able to solve these problems, I believe that my career as a physician will be rewarding and valuable for both myself and others.
I volunteered a week in a hospital of DR Congo. I was intrigued by the wide range of roles that GPs play in a village. The lack of equipment did not stop him from performing many complex procedures. It gave me a better understanding of the compassion and flexibility a doctor must have. When I shadowed an Indian cardiologist in Chennai I saw, amongst other things, catheter insertions and angioplasty procedures. I got a clear understanding of what a medical team is responsible for.
I learned how important teamwork and a methodical approach in writing notes are to accurately diagnose ailment. I was taught basic clinical skills like how to take a patient’s blood pressure or temperature. Communication skills developed by the conversations I had with them and staff. They are essential in medicine, because without them you cannot identify a patient’s need and therefore help them improve. My interpersonal skills were improved by talking with a patient who was about to undergo a bypass operation. As I moved three times to live in different countries, I acquired this skill over the course of my life. The international exposure I received helped me to improve my adaptability by learning Tamil, English, French and Lingala. As a Red Cross First Aid volunteer in Nairobi, Kenya, I was motivated by my medical interest and my desire for people to be helped. I was selected as a First Aider on a Silver Trip to Mt. Kenya.
Reading The New England Journal of Medicine’s articles and magazines from Biology IB Review has helped me gain a greater understanding of common health policies. I have also gained an up-to-date knowledge of medical coterie events. I was the captain of my school’s tennis team and won many inter-school and regional championships. I also placed third in the U-17 ITF East Africa. As a result, I developed leadership, teamwork, and patience. I won several awards for participating in school racketsports. Debating is something I enjoy. As a school MUN Rapporteur, I could provide relevant information to my delegates. In grade 10, I raised money by selling food, playing various sports and participating in a MUN. I tutor weaker Biology and Chemistry students.
A doctor’s ultimate goal is to improve the life quality. The UK has the best doctors and most advanced facilities. It would be an honor to join this program and gain knowledge from them. My service-oriented nature and diverse experiences make me a good fit for this demanding and challenging field. I am committed to success and will make decisions that are similar to those made by the doctor who helped save my life 17 year ago.
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