UNAIR NEWS Expensive and costly. That is what the most people think about studying at Faculty of Medicine. However, that view is refuted by medical students receiving a bidikmisi education grant.
For college students, the financial limitation is not a barrier to realize their dream to be doctors. For them, getting a free medical education and living expenses each month is a great trust to perform dedication to the country after finishing college in medicine.
Therefore, to find out more about the long journey of Faculty of Medicine UNAIR students who received bidikmisi, graduated and became doctors, NEWS will present their stories and dedication.
Afan Abdul Jabbar was the first doctor featured in UNAIR NEWS special coverage “Doctors of Bidikmisi”. Ngudi Waluyo Wlingi General Hospital (RSUD), Blitar Regency, was where Afan works. Afan told UNAIR NEWS that he was very proud to be a doctor out of bidikmisi program.
“One thing that makes me personally very grateful is to be and struggle with my bidikmisi friends while studying at FK UNAIR,” he said.
Before sharing his experiences during service, Afan first told UNAIR NEWS that before applying to UNAIR Doctor’s Education, he wanted to study in the pharmacy department. However, with various considerations and inputs from his closest people, Afan decided to choose Medicine.
“At first, I wanted to study in pharmacy because it was the field of science I interested in. But after receiving many suggestions and inputs, I dared myself to register for Medicine and alhamdulillah accepted, “he recalled.
Although he is already a doctor, Afan does not feel content yet. After service, the doctor from Sidoarjo is determined to continue his education to Japan. It is from his determination to return to the alma mater and teach.
“For me being a doctor is not enough. I want to advance on to the next level because my wish was to become an academic from the start. But I did not rule out being a clinician, “he explained.
Furthermore, regarding the various experiences gained during service, Afan confessed that the reality of life in the region differs greatly from the city. The location of a hospital that is not in the center of the city gives difficult access to hospital, especially for people who are in the mountains, according to Afan those who are in such conditions sometimes too late to arrive at the hospital.
“Patients often arrive at the hospital in a very critical condition,” he explained.
At the end, Afan hoped that UNAIR can continue to produce quality students and graduates. In addition, to the student bidikmisi who are studying at Faculty of Medicine UNAIR, Afan advised them to always have spirit and never give up.
“Do not feel inferior when you see a friend with luxurious looks because success is not seen from the backgrounds, “said the second child of three siblings.
Author: M. Najib Rahman
Editor: Nuri Hermawan
