Aspiring Doctor Opens Up About Lack of Representation in Medicine, Aims to Challenge Diversity Stereotypes

• A Johannesburg student doctor is challenging stereotypes and highlighting the need for diversity in healthcare
• With less than 10 images of black patients in 180 lectures, she questioned the balance in representation
• Speaking to Briefly News, the third-year medical student says the desire to be a doctor was when she witnessed the profound impact chronic illnesses had on her immediate family

Being a medical doctor may seem like a glamorous dream, but for one determined Johannesburg student, it's a reality check that challenges perceptions.

Johannesburg medical student's eye-opening journey

The young student @__oratilwe reflected on her academic journey in a TikTok video, prompting reflection on the year's previous experiences. This aspiring young doctor revealed the unexpected truth behind her dream career.

The glitz and glamour often associated with medicine are far from reality. Over the last two blocks, she's attended around 180 lectures, yet what caught her attention was the underrepresentation of black patients. For the young woman, this is not just a career choice; it's also about rewriting the narrative, striving for equal representation, and making a lasting impact.

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Her passion for the field all began with witnessing the profound impact of chronic illnesses on her immediate family. In an exclusive comment to Briefly News, she says:

"I was 10 years when I lost my grandmother to sugar diabetes and hypertension complications and that sparked the passion of wanting to become a doctor. Few years later, my uncle also became blind, losing his eyesight to sugar diabetes. I understood the impact that diseases have, not only on patients but also on families.

"The desire to become a health advocate was born from my personal experience and the profound emotional impact it left on me.

"The biggest impact would be my mom’s sickness. She was living with sugar diabetes for over 2 decades,which later further deteriorated her heatlh and she succumbed to kidney failure late last year. So, I knew that nothing will bring me fulfillment other than healing and treating the sick."

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Despite being rejected initially, she knew that with hard work and determination, she would achieve her goal.

"Even though I was rejected for medicine coming from matric, I still knew it will be the end goal. I started with a Bachelor Of Health Sciences at Wits, completed the degree and graduated. And applied again for medicine, and finally got my acceptance for this year. I’m continuing at Wits, currently doing third year medicine."

Watch the video below:

Mzansi reacts to young woman's reflection video on studying medicine

People across the country weighed in on the young doctor's reflection on medicine in the country. She shared an unfiltered perspective, shedding light on the less-discussed path.

Peeps shared their views in the comment section:

MakaLwandle said:

"Mina I'm all the way behind you cc. Keep the black child flag up, many blessings."

Phenyo commented:

"Your caption, sisi, Thank you."

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Velile said:

"My role model."

Zandilegoxo commented:

"Good luck with your studies future dokotela."

A young woman's candid TikTok video reveals the challenges of studying medicine and inspires others to persevere

In a similar story, Briefly News reported about a brave and honest TikTok video that shows a young woman opening up about the challenges she faced while studying medicine.

The student talks about the long hours spent studying, the pressure to do well, and how draining it can be.

A healthcare specialist, who is qualified in her field, shared her difficulties and understood the lady's hardships.

Source: Briefly News