Son turns to medical studies because of sick father
‘When I was in Form Four in 2013, I saw my father in the hospital bed in that condition’
University of Fiji graduate and gold medallist Mohil Manish Pratap said one of the motivating factors that pushed him to pursue a career in medicine was seeing his father admitted at the Labasa Hospital in 2013.
His father, Mahend Pratap, was suffering from Cholecystitis.
According to the Mayo Clinic website, Cholecystitis is the inflammation of the gallbladder which is caused by gallstones that can block the tube (cystic duct) through which bile flows when it leaves the gallbladder.
“When I was in Form Four in 2013, I saw my father in the hospital bed in that condition,” he said.
“It made me sad that I could not do anything for him, so it became a motivation for me. I changed my plans to choose Arts in Form Five to choosing science and I targeted this field.”
The twenty-five-year-old graduated with a Bachelor in Medicine and Bachelor in Surgery (MBBS) and was awarded a gold medal for being an outstanding student in paediatrics during the University of Fiji’s graduation ceremony at the Saweni, Lautoka campus on Friday
“It’s really a great day for me to get this gold medal. My six years of struggle have finally paid off, but there’s more to come, so I have to work hard and pursue my dreams,” he said.
“All these were to thank my parents for their constant support and also God who had fulfilled my prayers. I thank my friends and the lecturers who pushed me and motivated me to achieve what I have achieved today.”
He said the COVID-19 pandemic was hard on him as he did not get clinical work exposure.
“Thankfully the Government, through the Ministry of Health, allowed us to go into hospitals and we were able to at least get some practical skills, otherwise we faced challenges such as the study load and exam stress,” he said.
“My advice to youths is to never give up. Sometimes you will feel like you can’t make it, but think of how many more steps you have left to go before you complete your program and keep going because you will get through it. Respect your elders as you will get blessed.”
He had mapped out his plans for the future.
“After this I will continue with my two years internship either in Lautoka, Suva or Labasa. After those two years, I will hopefully be a medical officer and I can further my studies,” he said.
“I want to become a nephrologist one day. I want to choose a field to specialise in.”
His father, Mahend Pratap, was proud.
He was emotional seeing his youngest son collect his degrees while also being awarded a gold medal.
“I have four children, one is a pharmacist, one in HR, another is a nurse at the Lautoka Hospital and one is a doctor. Now he has graduated, so now I have four children in the medical field and it is a proud moment for me,” he said.