‘I was under a government funded scholarship and now I have to go back to Samoa and serve my people to repay back the money’

A medical graduate took up medicine in honour of his grandfather who was a medical practitioner back in Samoa.

“My grandfather had inspired me to take up medicine as he was a public health physician,” Dr Ulai Tapasafo Fidow said.

Dr Fidow was one of 35 graduates during the Fiji National University’s College of Medicine and Environment graduation ceremony at the FNU School of Nursing auditorium in Tamavua, Suva yesterday.

Dr Fidow said his older siblings took up other fields, but since he was the youngest in the family, he felt no choice, but to follow in his grandfather’s footsteps.

“Since I was the last one, I took up medicine to honour my grandfather,” Dr Fidow said.

Dr Fidow said the three years he spent in Fiji were not easy and credited his family for supporting him.

“I thank my wife and family who sacrificed everything for me to achieve my goal.”

Dr Fidow graduated with a Master of Medicine in Obstetrics and Gynaecology.

“I lived in Fiji for about three years while my wife and two kids were back home in Samoa.”

He said living on a scholarship allowance was also challenging.

“Learning how to budget while living on allowance was a bit difficult for me,” Dr Fidow said.

“It was one of those challenges that really solidifies you and teaches you how to manage,” he said.

“Every goal you make in life, it doesn’t matter if you move one inch at a time or one mile, it’s a matter of perseverance to keep moving forward in whatever you do.

“I was under a government funded scholarship and now I have to go back to Samoa and serve my people to repay back the money.”

Edited by Rusiate Mataika

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