What Medical Career Means To me

It was during the late 90’s at a tender age that these pictures came vividly to my eyes and knowledge as if I had seen them for the first time; was a severely ill-child almost dying to what seemed to be just a mere illness. My mother revealed to me that’s you, my son, you had Measles at that time they were limited and poor health systems in place for refugees she added. Growing up these images have been a stepping stone to build on in search of a career that would not see another human go through what I encountered as a child in exile.

At a very young age, I had committed myself to the service of vulnerable people. This informed my decision to pursue Medicine. During my clinical years, I was able to accumulate leadership skills and be influential in different organs in the field. As a student clerk being able to first hand attends patients during my internship gave me great insight into the significance of disease burden in the community and lack of basic preventive education. It was during this time that I influenced the chair of the student’s board in the Rwanda village concept project (RVCP) that I was part of to widen the project and finance village outreach for the poorest villages in the campus territory. I went further to bring on track several university student platforms to come aboard on the cause for better health in the nearby villages. For this, the University was awarded different recognitions by the District and Provincial offices for promoting health and education, in turn, waivers on tuition were awarded to students with outstanding projects which I benefited from during my tenure.

Upon completion of bachelor’s in medicine, I have worked in different leadership positions both as a clinician and an influential health promoter. At Gisenyi District Hospital my skills and knowledge stood out fresh and convincing amongst that of the long-term experienced doctors whose practice was somewhat routine this paved way for me to leadership positions. First as a Head of Neonatal care department as a token for my tireless efforts to bring down neonatal morbidity and mortality. And secondly coordinating health promotion hospital projects covering the western catchment area these included prevention and education on Non-communicable disease, TB and HIV/AIDS, Gender-based violence and hygiene.

To date, I work as a medical officer in the United Nations Department of Peacekeeping Operations (UNDPKO) in the Central African Republic. Under this position I supervisor a team of doctors and nurses at a level 1 hospital responsible for the health of UN personnel and internally displaced persons. In my line of work, I have benefited from the diverse backgrounds of UN professionals who hold a lot of leadership skills ranging from professionalism, integrity to diversity.

To conclude, I look forward to learning from the Chevening community and my colleagues, as well as contribute my leadership and influential skills in creating a healthy world for all. It will be a great honor to join your academic community.