Medicine is like a tradition in my family – Dr Aisha
Tell us about yourself?My name is A’isha Sa’idu Bala. I am number six child in a family of nine children. I was born in Jakara, under Kano Municipal Local Government Area, Kano State. I started my education in 1983. I attended Bayero University Staff Nursery School for one year. In 1984 I was enrolled into […]
Tell us about yourself?
My name is A’isha Sa’idu Bala. I am number six child in a family of nine children. I was born in Jakara, under Kano Municipal Local Government Area, Kano State. I started my education in 1983. I attended Bayero University Staff Nursery School for one year. In 1984 I was enrolled into Bayero University Staff Primary School at the age of 5 years. I finished my primary education in 1989. I got admission into St Louis Secondary School 1990 and finished in 1995. I got my West African Examination Certificate in St Louis Secondary school. I started Bayero University Kano in 1996 at the medical school and I graduated in 2004, mainly due to incessant strike actions by trade unions. We had to spend almost nine years at the university.
Where did you do your housemanship?
I did my internship at Aminu Kano Teaching Hospital, Kano. The hospital is attached to Bayero University Kano. We did the internship for the period of one year, from 2004 to 2005. Immediately I started my NYSC also in Aminu Kano Teaching Hospital. After that I went to write my first professional post-graduate medical exams in 2007. Alhamdulillah (Thanks be to Allah) I passed the exams in October 2007.
Why did you choose to be a doctor?
Actually, the motivation came from my father, it became like a family tradition, and my entire sisters also motivated me because they are also doctors. And this is the handiwork of our father who stood firm to see us educated and God in His infinite mercy fulfilled his dream by making four of us doctors.
What challenges did you face during your studies?
I don’t think I have faced so many challenges, probably because of my background. We had a family tradition which is going to school to learn both the western and Islamic education. Like I said, I am number 6th in my family with the other first five already paved a way for me. It was just like a walkover. In addition, I had a good family support. My parents are always there for me. They provided almost everything that a child needs from his parents to go to school.
What is your specialty?
My specialty is radiology and I am thankful to Allah for making me a radiologist. Honestly, I am enjoying it and I am proud of it.
Why did you choose radiology?
I found out there were no female radiologists, most especially in the northern part of the country. When I made up my mind that I will go for radiology, I found out there were only two female radiologists, the first one from Sokoto State and the other from Borno State. Somebody told me females are also needed because there are some investigations that have to do with women due to their nature, such as breast imaging, and women imaging in particular. I took it as challenge and told myself that this is the time that I should open the door for the rest. Alhamdulillah more females are joining now and we are trying to motivate more to join the area. Before we joined, people were afraid of radiation, but by the time I made the inquiry about the specialty, I found out what people are saying was not the reality, because even in the radiation there is control and it doesn’t stop you from anything.
At what age did you graduate?
I graduated at the age of 25. And this is because I have started schooling at a young age. As I have said earlier, it has become a tradition in our family for a girl to go to school and that has helped me lot.
When did you get married?
I got married after graduation. My husband is my relation. So, because of that mutual understanding, he allowed me to complete my studies before our marriage was contracted.
What are your unforgettable moments, especially during your school days?
I think my unforgettable moment was the day I passed my professional exams in medical school. That is crossing over from pre-clinical to clinical. I will never forget that day in my life.
How supportive were your parents?
My parents are wonderful and, honestly, I don’t have words to explain their support, they are everything to me. They are what I am today. So words can never say what they did to me. But I am always praying for them because that is the only way I think I can reciprocate the gesture, the favour they did to me.
How did you combine your career and the home front?
It is not easy, but my husband understands the nature of my work, and he has agreed to support me on that. 80% of the stress is gone. It is not easy, but I am able to do it. Thanks to my husband who gives me the overwhelming support.
What advice did you have for parents and young women on education?
I want parents to encourage girl-child education. It is a reality that when you educate a woman, you educate a nation. If parents understand that, they’ll send their children to school. It is not about working, it is not about earning salary, it is about the family, which is the basic structure of any nation. The woman that is educated will train her children to become leaders of the nation. For the young women in school, I want them to fear God and to see education as a stage of development in their lives. They should understand it is not about going to school to get the certificate. It is about developing oneself. Ii isn’t just about getting certificate and job.
Do you hope to have a doctor among your children?
I do. Medical profession is a noble profession. I know it is not easy, but today I am happy and proud to be a medical doctor. It is the profession that gives you contentment and joy without being rich. It makes you to be humble. I want my children to have that experience in life.