Narasi Perjuangan

My name is Nemo Mazari Hamzal, but people call me Nemo. I went to high school in Pakistan where I learned and honed my knowledge and applied to “Kelas Khusus International” through SIMAK, then undergo multiple interviews in the third round. Initially FKUI felt relatively intimidating at first as information just an abundance of tasks, information and reputation that people fortunate enough to get accepted into the faculty of medicine must uphold. This is because they, as future doctors, have to start developing behavioral tendencies that is fitting of the occupation and as a graduate of one of the most prestigious universities in Indonesia.

Some people view moving from one country to another in childhood with their working parents, as a hassle and gloomy episode, but for me it proved to be exciting and full of various learnings with an element of adventure much like the ride of a roller coaster. This opportunity helped me come across diverse people, cultures and an enjoyably a learning conducive environment as well. This allowed me at an early age to learn to cooperate and adapt into any environment; cruising through the myriads of experiences, backgrounds, and identities I came to realize that regardless of our differences, the need to help people is universal. Preceding my birth, my parents would always travel around the world as humanitarians, volunteering with the aim of serving the most vulnerable people in the medical field: by providing enough financial and logistical support to the field of operation. What made me incredibly astounded was before my parents met, they were never financially well-off but still strived for a better life no matter how hard it became. Inspired, it became my goal to aid people in need as well. It became my passion to study in the medical field. I started to gain an interest in human anatomy during my studies in Iraq where a teacher broadened my mental horizon and led me to discover how complex yet profound the human body is. As I came to learn about genetics, it piqued my interest how purine and pyrimidine form DNA in the nucleus or the mere fact of how neurons play a pivotal role in nervous system of human body or be it the other amazing aspects of human body like the circulatory system, digestive system, respiratory system, reproductive system each of which culminates in a separate medical specialty. I followed through with my curiosity by spending a considerable amount of time searching more about the topic instead of idling. Every little detail is essential for the body to function properly, and it is truly breath-taking where even a slight adjustment is to be made in any of the fundamentals may cause fruitful or detrimental results for the human body.

My passion for medicine was enhanced even further when a junior class was undergoing the dissection of a living frog where I decided to join in. Throughout the whole procedure, I performed as instructed and with little hesitation; thoroughly scrambling the frog’s brain in order to hopefully release it from experiencing the autopsy. Once dissected, it was extraordinary, the beating of the heart and arrangement of organs was so meticulous that I was distracted from my instincts of feeling appalled and just scrutinized the exposed world and its islands with wonder and amusement. Consequently, resulting in my ever so lasting interest towards medicine leading me to apply to “FKUI KKI”.

Amid junior high in grades 7 to 9 in Ukraine, I was not a diligent student and would often disregard any obligation to expand my academic prowess and prioritize spending time playing with friends or by myself, barely scraping by with minimal passing grades. However, one day in grade eight I came to the realization that having fun all the time gets you no where but only as a source of temporary entertainment for myself. Over the following years I would gradually begin to raise my grades from rock bottom to nearly full grades, even though each subsequent mark wasn’t the best, each mark would mostly be higher than the previous one; I often reflect on the previous test papers and review the mistakes that I did so that the same mistakes would not reoccur. Unfortunately, things aren’t as simple as can be and soon obstacles would hinder the improvement of my aptitude for studying and research such as: overstudying, sleep deprivation, or even migrating to a separate residential area; more often than not, it tends to be in another nation. Regardless, the inextinguishable fire that drives me forward remains undeterred and, as a result, made me more resilient towards unpredictable hurdles that may inevitably emerge numerous times in the distant yet adjacent future. By the time I reached 9th grade I had moved to Iraq where I pursued my IGCSE grades until the eleventh grade, where I met a considerable number of classmates with the goal of achieving stellar results each having their respective reasons. Yet despite the competitive atmosphere, the interaction between one another was nothing less than inseparable companions, each challenging their limits to further grow not only as students but as respectable individuals as well. Throughout the period of nineth to eleventh grade, studying and reviewing was a frequent practice among my peers and I as we would often spend as long as 9 hours per session not including classwork, during in which we would bond and take occasional necessary breaks to replenish our mind; preventing a burnout. Towards the final week before the long-awaited exam, we would be anxiously studying the examined material with detail to ensure we had spared no effort in revising for the, at the time, crucial assessment. Once we had undergone the test and received a satisfactory grade befitting the time and mental strain, we had undergone during the preparation period prior. Unfortunately, succeeding the announcement of the results and during summer break I had to leave my companions and relocate once again to Pakistan in which I attended my A-levels for 2 years. Everyone was strong-minded and determined in their studies and activities, some excelling more than others while others giving up academically but striving socially. Those 2 years had been the hardest due to the massive leap in complexity of the material and occasional language barrier mid lectures, switching from English to their native tongue accidentally repetitively for the duration of my studies. Fortunately, after innumerable amounts of protests I had succeeded in effectively studying towards the end of the year as the empty spaces within my mind moderately started to fill in the gaps as we started to review the syllabus. Up until the last exam of high school where people were beyond nervous and shivered as they accurately and cautiously spew out all the information they had been storing up and maintaining for the past two years into multiple sheets of paper made for a gloomy and overly stressed environment. However, as the exam passed, and summer break began once again it was as though we had tasted freedom for the first time in forever.

During the study period for the entrance path “SIMAK KKI” I did not optimally prepare due to the limited time and the fact that I was still moving my belongings to Indonesia as I intended to potentially reside in Indonesia for a period. I started to discipline myself and attempted to wake up early in the morning and sleep early at night as well as enforcing my religious beliefs. In the past I used to play video games for hours on end and did not feel any sort of fatigue. Nevertheless, I intend to reduce the gaming sessions significantly as to not affect my path towards being a general surgeon and have proved to be true to my word as I have reduced my playing time down the minimum at grade nine.

The doctor I want to be is Dr. Mohamed Mashali, nicknamed “Docter of the Poor” had spent over five decades “serving his community” as a doctor of internal medicine, a pediatrician, and a infectious diseases specialist by charging less than 1 USD every visit and may even make it free for less fortunate patients.; in addition to the drastically cheap price per visit he would then “provide vaccines” who could not obtain it free of cost. With the willingness to treat anyone who needs treatment and giving “medical advice if needed” is the mindset that should be uphold within modern doctors with the intention to giving not taking. A doctor that provides for his or her community with minimal or sometimes nothing in return.

Hopefully in pre-clinical studies I can absorb enough knowledge before entering the stages of surgical operations on flesh be it living or not. Adjusting to the stressful yet rewarding opportunity of being a part of one of the most vital and competitive jobs. By both nourishing my mind with regular studying and my soul by consistent religious practices.

During the clinical years I plan to work in a hospital gaining experience in a professional work environment or aiming for another specialization then I would aid people in need who either cannot afford treatment or cannot access treatment by working in a humanitarian organizations such as Medicine sans frontier, International Medical Corps, and Save the children where I can hopefully do as much as I am able to towards treating patients. By “providing medical assistance to people affected by conflict, epidemics, disasters, or exclusion from healthcare.” or by saving lives and relieving suffering.

Expectantly, other medical professionals be it of the same specialization or a different one, express a similar approach in how they use the skills they gained for the greater good of the environment; increasing the accessibility to healthcare throughout the world for people who need it most.

For people who intend to join “FKUI” I implore you to try, even if it seems improbable to be accepted into such a competitive institute. As a phrase I remembered long ago said “It’s the possibility of having a dream come true that makes life interesting.” So regardless of the outcome just keep on striving for what you want to do, albeit be slightly sensible about it as well, or not, who am I to tell you what to do.

Reference

1. Hilton T. Egyptian ‘Doctor of the Poor’ Dr. Mashali Dies after a lifetime giving free treatment [Internet]: Al Arabiya English; 2020 Jul 28 [cited 2023 Aug 9] Available from: https://english.alarabiya.net/variety/2020/07/28/Egyptian-Doctor-of-the-Poor-Dr-Mashali-dies-after-lifetime-giving-free-treatment

2. Auyo A. Egyptian “Docter of the Poor” Dr Mohamed Mashally [Internet]: Neptune Prime; [updated 2022 Sep 1; cited 2023 Aug 9]. Available from: https://neptuneprime.com.ng/2022/09/01/egyptian-doctor-of-the-poor-dr-mohamed-mashally/

3. https://internationalmedicalcorps.org/

4. https://www.msf.org/

5. Coelho P. The Alchemist. Brazil: HarperTorch; 1988. p . 23