A Message from Sudan, Mitrata’s first Graduated Medical Doctor

Sudan, one of Mitrata's long sponsored children, graduated from Mitrata into independence and completed medical school in 2022. He is now working as a medical doctor in a clinic in rural Nepal-a goal he had for many years. He is the only doctor in the clinic serving local people in great need of medical care. Below, you will find a heartfelt blog he wrote to be shared with the Mitrata Family.

A Few Words After Graduating:

I am remembering the first day I joined Mitrata. I was 8. And, I completely had no idea what would be the days then. All I had taken from home was a t-shirt and half pant. As soon I arrived, Pawan, Rukesh, and Rajkumar took me to my room and described the scenario. I cried whole night remembering my mother. I CRIED. The next day, I ate breakfast, dinner, and went to school.

Days passed.

Weeks passed.

Months passed.

I took the entrance exam of grade 5. I failed. And, I was admitted in Grade 4.

After 3 months, internal assessment was taken. I failed in six out of seven subjects. Teacher said they will degrade my grade. I promised to work harder. On next assessment, I became fourth in my class. And, all remaining years, I was in good grades.

A underprivileged boy from rural Nepal who had completely no idea how his life will go is now writing this after graduating.

A LONG JOURNEY!

It has been almost 2 decades since I joined Mitrata. These are the most beautiful years of my life. I fulfilled the dream of becoming Medical Doctor that I could never dreamt of. And, I GRADUATED from Mitrata-BSF a month back.

I am currently working as the single medical doctor here in my hometown Gorkha. Gorkha is a hilly, mostly village area. I am more than happy that I am finally able to keep my words I promised many time over this decade that I wanted to work in rural areas and help in improving the health status of people of that area.

I feel proud to share that I have successfully referred a patient having a cardiac problem to specialized centre. One patient whom I referred immediately after giving primary treatment came a month later and thanked me. He said, "The Doctor operating my heart in Kathmandu said I could have passed if you haven't given me that medicine and referred on time. Thank you for giving me next life!" What could be other more beautiful thing to hear than this being a doctor.

It is said:

"A common man can be nobody to whole world but the very same common man can be whole world to someone."

Patients are not just a number, they should be treated as emotions. Because they are WHOLE WORLD to someone.

Universal health coverage is still a dream for country like Nepal where people have to travel all day long for basic medical care. I have encountered a case where a patient with heart disease in critical stage stopped getting medicine because she couldn't afford it. She came to my hospital very late. I immediately referred after primary treatment, but she died inside the hospital gate in Kathmandu. Life and Death are the fundamental elements of medicine. And, this is what keeps me motivated. Inspires me to follow my dream.

To all those reading my words, I assure that I will continue working in rural Nepal and help in upgrading the basic health facility as much as I can. THIS is what Mitrata has taught me over the decade.

The other thing Mitrata has taught me is - GIVING BACK to community. The work I am doing these days is also an example of giving back. There are still so many underprivileged child here in Nepal. This problem can't be solved at once. But, if I can join hand with Mitrata-BSF in making a single child's life better as you have made me, I would be more than happy, if I could give back some of my savings annually to Mitrata. It won't be just money. It would be emotions. It would be life lessons. It would be an example.

I hope I can make this happen very soon.

I attended my university graduation a month after Mitrata graduation. I took my single mother on that day. I made my mother wear my graduation dress. She held me and cried. She then said, "Do not forget the efforts Mitrata-BSF did for you all these years to make who you are today."

How could I forget?

Now, it should be the time that my actions and works speak than my words.

I will continue making MITRATA FAMILY proud.

Happy belated New Year.

-Sudan

Mitrata's first Medical Doctor