Bachelor of Biomedical Science,
Bachelor of Medical Science and Doctor of Medicine

“Studying medicine is something that I have been considering since childhood. I remember when I was young, I always used to visit my friend’s house and his dad was a doctor. We often used his stethoscope together to listen for our heart beats, while he told us stories about his work at the hospital. We always thought of him as a hero when we were kids and I dreamed of following in his footsteps.”

However, becoming a doctor wasn’t that simple. Kumail Jaffry and his family, like many Hazaras, were eventually forced to flee Pakistan due to the dangerous conflicts that existed at that time. They came to Australia and settled in Mildura, Victoria.

“I remember I didn’t speak any English. I attended a secondary college in Mildura and it was difficult for me to answer questions.”

It was then a family holiday as a teenager that reignited Kumail’s childhood interest in becoming a doctor. During a trip to Adelaide, his youngest brother accidently spilled boiling water on himself and as the only English speaker in the family at that time, Kumail had to navigate a way to the nearest hospital. He remembers the great care the doctors and nurses showed his younger brother at Riverland General Hospital in Berri, South Australia.

“Undoubtedly, the accident always remains in my mind. I still notice the burn scars when I am swimming with my brother, which reminds of the experience I had in hospital and motivates me to become a doctor and give back to the community.”

Like many medical students, Kumail’s education pathway began with a Bachelor of Biomedical Science, here at Monash University where he learned the foundations of human health and disease. His hard work paid off and he was later accepted into the graduate entry medicine program. He then found his journey was taking him full circle, as he returned to his regional town of Mildura for placement.

“I remember my first day on clinical placement in Mildura, where I was allocated to the general surgery division. The first patient was a two-year-old who presented with a hernia. It was my first time being part of a surgery. I was a bit nervous given the circumstances, but I got through it in the end with the help of my registrar. That’s something I keep in mind, and which has sparked my interest into possibly doing general surgery in the future.”

Practising medicine isn’t necessarily what people might imagine it to be from a young age, and getting there is a different journey for everyone, each rewarding in its own way.

“From arriving in Australia and not speaking any English to reaching my final year of medical school, Monash University has given a lot to me and my community. As a Monash graduate, I look forward to being able to provide medical care and to continuing to advocate for disadvantaged families.”

Bachelor of Biomedical Science

Bachelor of Medical Science and Doctor of Medicine