Future doctors speak

Established in 2006, the student body aims at uniting medical students all over the UAE.

The society was chaired last year by student Maysoon Jamal from the Dubai Medical College for Girls. This year it is being headed by Jamil Edrees Qasimi of Gulf Medical College, Ajman.

Students from each university select their society representative. The president is then elected by the representatives.

Five universities are part of the society. These include: Gulf Medical College, Dubai Medical College for Girls, University of Sharjah, Universal Empire Institute of Medical Sciences, University of Seychelles American Institute of Medicine and the Medical Sciences University in Ras Al Khaimah.

The event

What: The Second Annual UAE Medical Students Conference

Where: Ajman Kempinski Hotel

Organiser: The Emirates Medical Students Society

Attendees: 500 medical students from around the UAE

Details: 60 students participated with their submissions of poster and oral presentations.

Participating colleges included Gulf Medical College Ajman, Dubai Medical College, Universal Empire Institute for Medical Science, University of Seychelles American College of Medicine in Ras Al Khaimah, and Medical Health Sciences University in Ras Al Khaimah.

Some of the projects discussed: Smoking, diabetes, HIV vaccination, basic surgical techniques, hypertension and taxi drivers, and many others.

"I wanted to be a doctor since the day I was born. I wanted to become a heart specialist. But nowadays a lot of people venture into medicine because it's good money, rather than thinking of helping others. They look at the profession as a source of income; when there is so much that can be done for others. I am not going to say money is not important to me. I guess it's a 50-50 thing."

- Sayed Zuhaib, Bachelor of Medicine and Surgery (BMMS), Universal Empire Institute of Medical Sciences (UEIMS)

"I am into medicine because I like it. This is a dream of mine that I want to make come true. Plus I know I will end up with a good job and also help people. This makes me happy. I am against the idea that people should become doctors to make money. I mean yes, sure there are people who are after the money, but there are others who are not. There are a lot of opportunities for doctors. You can work anywhere and help anyone. I think in the end people need to remember that the job is all about helping people."
- Rasha Ali, MBBS, UEIMS

"Well, when I first started studying medicine my main goal was money but now it's helping people first then making money! This is one way to give back to society. I mean after studying and going deep into the subject, seeing patients and going to hospitals - helping people becomes a priority. It's a great profession with so many opportunities, especially nowadays whether in the UAE or abroad."
- Ashutosh Wanchu, MBBS, Gulf Medical College

"My uncle works as a medical consultant in the UK and I wanted to be like him. I saw him work with a girl who suffers from cancer. He used to visit her all the time and raise her morale. It wasn't just talk. He used to sit with her and tell her what they were going to do to help her and that sort of thing. I liked that and I want to do the same and help others. I think you cannot say that a lot of doctors join the profession because they want to make money. As you study medicine and see the great creation of God…the anatomy of human beings… they would stop thinking of money. It's just amazing, how every cell, everything fits. I want to become a plastic surgeon."
- Haneed Salman, MBBS, UEIMS

"I have always had a passion for biology. I want to become a cardiologist one day. My uncle is a cardiologist and I once went with him to the hospital and saw him work and since then I was interested in human anatomy. There are a lot of opportunities for doctors today, but going into the profession because of money… well a lot of people do it, but the thing is if you are not interested in the subject, you still have to go through your bachelor programme then masters and residency in hospitals to become a good doctor and earn that money… it's not easy."
- Ahad Ayaz, MBBS, Gulf Medical College

"I have come from the US and there it takes eight years to do medicine, so I decided to come here and do it in five years. There are a many reasons for studying medicine. One is it's not a boring desk job. You are actually saving people's lives and doing something. I know some people do it for money, but in reality it is people's lives at stake. I know that by going into this profession I am going to achieve financial security, true, but other factors also count."
- Akif Niaz, MBBS, Gulf Medical College

"I actually went into medicine because there are no doctors in my family and I am hoping to help people. I think what's happening these days around the world… almost 70 per cent of the doctors are out to make money. There are a lot of prospects for this profession."
- Mohammad Owais, MBBS, UEIMS

"I went to university in New Zealand and got a degree in microbiology. When I used to visit hospitals I used to think that maybe I should try medicine out… it looks like a cool job. After all it's a profession where all sciences are mixed together. Microbiology, physiology, all that… you name it. If someone got into medicine to make money then they have not thought their decision through. It's not about making money. In medicine it is all about giving and taking."
–- Madura Wettewe, MBBS, University of Seychelles American Institute of Medicine, Ras Al Khaimah

"Well, I was always into sciences. I already have a bachelors degree in psychology from Canada and now I am doing medicine because… well, for one there are no doctors in my family and everyone wanted me to study medicine. This is a tough job. It is not as easy as some would think and end up making a lot of money. I have noticed that studying medicine here is different from Canada. Over there it is tough to get into med school. You have to do a lot of volunteer work at hospitals… you actually have to love hospitals because you will be spending your life there. You cannot give 90 per cent to this job because it is people's lives here we are talking about. So if you want to make good money you'd better give it your 100 per cent."
- Zohaib Ansari, MBBS, University of Seychelles American Institute of Medicine, Ras Al Khaimah

"Since I was a kid I wanted to become a doctor. I wanted it then because I thought at that time that it is quick money, but now it's more about people. This is a great career option because it is booming wherever you go."
- Deeraj Loganathan, MBBS, Gulf Medical College