From Doctor to Lawyer, Nothing is Impossible
"“I had always dreamt of becoming a doctor since the age of five. However, belonging to a separated family, life was difficult financially. With my mum as our sole supporter and God as my guide, I dedicated my life to studies. I was determined to become a doctor.”
Monday 18 December 2023 | 16:12
Doctor Musarat Natasha Begg created history last Friday as a medical professional who graduated with a Master of Laws degree with a gold medal.
She is practicing at Cuvu Health Centre in Nadroga.
Last Friday, she received her Master of Laws degree and a gold medal from the University of Fiji graduation at the Saweni Campus in Lautoka.
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Two days earlier she graduated from the Fiji National University (FNU)’s College of Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences with a Postgraduate Diploma in Health Research.
Humble beginings
Ms Begg had humble beginning with her single-parent mother, Nazrin Begum, and brother, Alfayad Begg.
“It has been a hard journey, that’s why I wanted to share my story with the world,” Ms Begg said.
“I had always dreamt of becoming a doctor since the age of five. However, belonging to a separated family, life was difficult financially. With my mum as our sole supporter and God as my guide, I dedicated my life to studies. I was determined to become a doctor.”
The 2010 Suva Muslim College dux had topped all her exams and was an outstanding student too.
“It was difficult to secure a scholarship for medical studies, so I took a loan scheme privately to study medicine at FNU,” she said.
Beating all odds
At that time, even the loan scheme had some funding issues, so she was told that if there was no scholarship in the next year or so, it would not be funded further.
So, she began her studies as an undergraduate in Law and Psychology at the University of the South Pacific which was funded by the bursary scheme which she is thankful for.
“So, alongside medicine, I did law because if I didn’t have funds to complete medicine, then I would not get a job to support my mom which was my only goal to give her back something for all her hard work.”
Hence, the 30-year-old studied both fields simultaneously.
“I believe that God will help us if we set our minds to something. Though there were hiccups due to my private loan scheme for medicine, I managed to complete my studies and graduated with the Dean’s Honours from CMNHS FNU (2018).”
A year prior, she completed her undergraduate in Law and Psychology at USP in 2017.
Acknowledging God
As COVID-19 hit, she placed her dream of joining the Bar on hold and served her medical internship in 2019.In 2020 she was based at Korovisilou Health Centre, Coral Coast.
“I love the field of law, so I continued with my Master of Laws studies. God is great, reach out to Him and let your dreams lead you. Be firm in your belief that God is there guiding and helping you.”
Ms Begg dedicated her achievement to God, her mother, the staff members and lecturers at the University of Fiji and FNU, and especially the senior divisional medical Officer Nadroga Navosa, Dr Amos Zibran, for the encouragement of his staff to keep pursuing higher education and staff and patients of Cuvu Health Centre.
“Also to the naysayers who didn’t believe in me, thank you. Because of you, I dared to believe in myself and strangers - international and national, who were sent by God to help me in my times of need.”
Doctor Musarat Natasha Begg
Feedback: waisea.nasokia@fijisun.com.fj
