A Day in the Life of a DOTZ Student, Part Two

For this Blog Post we spoke to Millicent, a third year Medical student at the University of Zimbabwe. DOTZ has been supporting Millicent since this summer.

How do you get ready to start your day?

I meditate for about 5 minutes, it gives me the positive energy for the day. I feel more in control of my day afterwards.

What is your morning routine after that?

I start preparing for school at 6 a.m. I shower, usually a cold shower but sometimes I have a warm bath. Then I dress up, have a cup of tea, pack my lunch pack and leave for school.

How do you get to Medical School?

I walk from where I rent for about 45 minutes to the main campus bus stop where we are then taken to medical school by the school bus.

What does a typical morning in Medical School look like?

It’s a busy morning at the teaching side of Parirenyatwa hospital. When I get to school, students are getting ready for the wards. Most students are in labcoats. Those that are late will also be rushing to the ward rounds which start at 8. Other students will be waiting at the bus stop where they will get a School bus to Harare hospital for their ward rounds.

What is the hospital like?

The wards are quite quiet. However, the doctors and nurses are busy, getting ready for the ward rounds. Some nurses will be doing patient baths and others will be feeding the patients. After the ward rounds us Part Three students meet to discuss the areas that we need to improve on, such as interacting with patients and sometimes we are given assignments.

When/where/what do you have for lunch?

I have lunch at 12pm. I have a slice of bread and juice with my friend. We sit at a table outside the hospital building. After eating, we have a discussion with my study group in the lecture theater whilst waiting for the lecturer.

What does a typical afternoon look like at Medical School?

The afternoons after lunch are quiet. We have lectures from 2pm to 5pm. Those that don't have lectures are at the library.

How do spend your evenings?

There won't be electricity due to loadshedding from the time that I get home up until 10p.m, so I sleep and wake up at 11p.m. I prepare a meal after waking up and eat. I start studying from 12.30am up to 4 a.m then sleep again up to 6 a.m.

Why did you decide to train to be a doctor?

I grew up dependent on my widowed mother who struggled with her health. She was diabetic and hypertensive. At one point she got very sick and we all thought we were gong to lose her. At that time I was only 11 years old. The doctors managed to treat her and brought back hope to my three siblings and I. I appreciated the work of the team of doctors that treated my mother. She was able to work and take me to school up to when I started my third year at medical school. She passed away due to chronic kidney failure, may her soul rest in peace. I wish to have such an impact on other people's lives, giving back hope to the families that might be facing similar challenges.

What is your favourite part of your day?

I enjoy the mornings. I have a lot of energy to start my day. I also enjoy the experience at the wards as I interact with the patients. I feel more like a doctor than just a student at the wards.

What is the most challenging part of your day/life?

The evenings after school are challenging. I will be tired after school. The issue of not having electricity at home forces me to sleep and wake up later when the lights are on. I can not use the library during the evening for study since I stay far from the main campus. The most challenging part of my life was when my mother passed away. It felt like it was also the end of my world, especially considering the fact that she was responsible for paying for my school fees.

What is the most challenging case you have worked on so far?

The case was of a 52 year old female patient. She had been admitted twice in a period of 3 months due to diarrhea with severe abdominal pain the first time and persistent chest pain associated with a dry cough the second time. In both cases she was sent back home on pain killers and broad spectrum antibiotics. On presentation she had severe back pain. On examination I also noticed that she was pale, looked wasted and could not walk properly. I thought for some time that it was arthritis but still could not explain why she was in a constant state of illness and had lost a lot of weight. I read about arthritis and asked my friends what could have possibly caused it but we couldn't answer all the questions about the case. I later on found out from my consultant that she had multiple myeloma. The diagnosis explained the weight loss, bone pain and recurrent infections.

What is the most rewarding case you have worked on?

A case of a 33 years old male patient who was severely jaundiced, pale and had ascitis. He had been vomiting three days prior to presentation. After taking a thorough history from his relative, I figured out that he could be having liver failure. I read around that area and clerked the patient again the following morning and confirmed that the patient had liver failure. When the consultant came, I presented the patient and my consultant diagnosed him with liver cirrhosis after necessary investigations. I was happy, not only because I had given a similar diagnosis after a lot of hard work.

What are your hopes for the future of Zimbabwe?

That more attention be given to the standards of living of the general population. This would go a long way in preventing some of the illnesses faced by the people of Zimbabwe.