HEATHFIELD SCHOOL

Author: Kokoro, Form V student

I have always been interested in volunteering. In my spare time I realised, with my school subjects which are science based, I gradually developed an interest in medicine. In particular, what really interested me was watching a documentary about the way in which the NHS responded to the COVID crisis in 2020. Apart from extending my knowledge about how medicine responds to urgent needs, I looked into opportunities for working in medicine.

I started looking for programmes in Japan (where I was born) and decided instead to look further towards countries with less developed resources because I wanted to use my English skills outside of my comfort zone. It was then that I discovered an internship in Nepal to help with their medical programme in various hospitals and clinics. The programme was organised by Project Abroad.

During my volunteering, I shadowed general physicians, surgeons and nurses as they did ward rounds, and performed operations and general primary care. It was a wonderful opportunity to experience the freedom to witness first-hand how medical practitioners work every day because, in Japan, such close access would never be allowed for me. At present, I am reading all about radiology and a lot of what I studied reminds me of the time I spent at King’s College Hospital in their X-ray department.

This summer, I will be going to Tanzania with the same organisation and I am looking forward to developing my skills in primary medical care (paediatric medicine).