Empowered by a Mother's Love: Dr. Babita's Path to Medicine and Beyond

In a world where even in the normal family boys’ education is preferred more than girls’ education, there is a mother of Dr.Babita who prefers her daughter’s education. Dr.Babita is a role model to all those girls who want to do something big with their lives but come from poor backgrounds. Dr. Babita said “Whatever I am today, wherever I am, it is because of her”, her mother is a backbone who supported her in every aspect of her life. Dr.Babita added “Becoming a doctor was also my dream, but it was primarily my mother’s dream. I get respect when I go to the hospital, and people respect me when they hear the name “doctor.”

Introduction:

Dr. Babita was not a brilliant student in her life. She never decided to be a doctor initially, but since childhood, she has been very sick. Her family comes from a poor farming background, and they struggled a lot to make her a doctor. Her mom, who supported her immensely, played a crucial role in her journey. In our society, educating a girl is very difficult. People don’t appreciate it; they see girls as burdens, believing they should be married off soon to get rid of the responsibility. But her mom was so strong. Despite being uneducated, she prioritized her education and even sent her abroad, which is a dream for many. Her mother believed in her a lot and provided her with a higher education. She never differentiated between her children based on gender. Dr. Babita has two siblings, and despite having a son, she focused on giving her a good education. Like any other girl, Dr. Babita is very attached to her mother; her mother is her backbone. She feels that her mother’s life is her life, and her life is her mother’s life. Earlier, she was an average student, but later she realized that the field she chose was not about treating machines but treating people and understanding the human body. It’s a big challenge with a significant impact on society. When you raise your parents' name high, and they feel proud and happy, it’s a great achievement. Becoming a doctor was also her dream, but it was primarily her mother’s dream. Dr. Babita gets respect when she goes to the hospital, and people respect her when they hear the name “doctor.” However, she feels she has not yet achieved everything she wants. She wants to go to the US and do her MD. Living the dream of an ordinary person is a big deal for her right now.

She started her journey after 12th grade. SHE went for the NEET-UG entrance exam for MBBS in India, but she wasn't selected. So, she decided to go abroad to pursue her MBBS. While studying there, she resolved to do something meaningful for her family and society. After completing her MBBS, she returned to India in 2020. To practice in India, foreign medical graduates must pass the Foreign Medical Graduate Exam (FMGE). She passed the exam and then did a one-year internship at SMS Medical College in Jaipur. Observing the Indian medical system closely during her internship was an eye-opener. From the outside, it seems like doctors have a cool and respected profession. However, within the profession, there is immense pressure, and judgments are often based on experience and degrees rather than knowledge and skills. During her internship, she saw many helpless people in government hospitals. It was heartbreaking to see elderly individuals, like someone's grandparents, pleading for good medicine and thanking us profusely for our help. As doctors, we often treat patients with our minds rather than our hearts, as emotions can cloud our judgment. However, this made me feel a lot of guilt and sadness, especially when a patient's condition deteriorated. These experiences were a turning point for her. She decided that she couldn't stay in India for Her MD. After completing her internship, she joined a private hospital and decided to pursue the USMLE. This internship was a significant turning point in Her life, solidifying Her decision to continue Her medical journey in the USA. 

Challenges and Achievements: 

She considers her most significant achievement to be clearing the USMLE. Being an average student yet working hard, not losing hope, and clearing one of the toughest medical exams, the USMLE, with dedication and determination, makes a significant impact on society. It shows that foreign medical graduates are not inferior to anyone. Even if they do not pursue an MD in India, clearing the USMLE, the biggest and toughest medical exam, and walking on that path with dedication is a huge achievement.

The biggest challenge in Dr. Babita’s life is dealing with family issues and pressures, such as the constant question of when her studies will be completed and how she will achieve her goal. Along with that, there's the pressure of studies and the stress from seniors in the hospital as a result her mental state can become weak, and managing her mental health along with her physical health deteriorating are significant challenges. Being an introverted person who is not socially involved with many people makes it very difficult for her to interact and share things with others. For Dr.Babita, maintaining her mental state is the biggest challenge, and it significantly impacts her studies.

Personal Insights:

Maintaining a balance between personal and professional life is challenging, especially in the medical field. As a doctor, Dr.Babita has significant responsibilities, such as relieving the pain of patients who are suffering both physically and mentally. This responsibility can feel heavy and requires a professional demeanor while in the clinic or hospital. However, when she returns home, she switches back to herself, enjoying time with family and friends and engaging in activities that bring joy. To support mental health, she engages in physical activities like yoga and maintains a healthy diet. These activities help manage stress and keep the mind clear. By keeping professional and personal lives separate, she fully committed to each role without one overwhelming the other. This approach allows her to be fully present and effective at work while also enjoying and valuing her personal life.

Talking about the core values and principles success, for her, is influenced by learning from successful people through reading their histories or watching broadcasts about them. Additionally, her family has played a crucial role in shaping her values and understanding her responsibilities as a medical professional. Treating patients with care and empathy comes naturally to her.

Impact and Vision:

In healthcare, Dr. Babita says that hard work, passion, and a hunger for learning are very important if you want to achieve anything or learn something in your field. Taking responsibility is the main point in the medical field.

According to Dr.Babita, the healthcare system in India is unlikely to change significantly. Nowadays, the medical system is worsening. The competition is very high, and the government is not supporting people to become doctors. However, intelligent doctors in India can still make a difference and bring pride to the country. The high population in India adds to the challenge. We currently rank high in population, and the government needs to address this issue to improve the healthcare system. There are not enough doctors to treat the increasing number of patients, especially during certain seasons when patient numbers spike. She believes the government should take measures to control the population, reduce competition, and prioritize the healthcare system. Without a strong healthcare system, the country cannot grow effectively.

Dr.Babita feels a deep sense of responsibility towards treating patients and providing them with the best care possible. Having completed her MBBS abroad and internship in India, she has gained valuable insights. While experience here has shown Dr.Babita areas of improvement, she has decided to pursue further studies in the USA to achieve more. Every doctor desires to contribute to a strong healthcare system, regardless of the country. As an Indian doctor, she recognizes the challenges within our medical field and the systemic issues that exist. She is committed to giving her best. She wants to utilize her knowledge and skills to help people, uphold high standards of care, and make India proud. Dr. Babita's goal is to contribute positively to healthcare

Conclusion:

Dr.Babita wants to encourage young healthcare women today that in our country, girls often receive little value and priority. However, if you aspire to achieve something and sustain your practice, it's within your control. Often girls’ feels sad that they don’t have support apart from their family, Dr. Babita advices them to work hard with the support they have, and don't let anyone's disregard hold back. Dr. Babita encourages young women by saying that “Your life is in your hands. Uphold your values, believe in yourself, and dedicate yourself to hard work. Don't settle for less. You have the potential to achieve greatness in any system or field”.