A recent graduate from NOOR’s Ophthalmology Residency Programme shares his story – and his hope – of becoming an ophthalmologist.
“In life, there are certain moments that reaffirm the reason as to why I joined the profession in the first place,” says Doctor Abdul Nazir Rawoofi, a recent graduate from the four-year residency programme at IAM’s National Organisation for Ophthalmic Rehabilitation (NOOR). “When I see a blind patient’s vision being restored and can see again, I feel that all my ambitions have been reached and the long hours of studying to get to this stage were worth it.”
Doctor Rawoofi first started thinking about working in ophthalmology when he was completing his undergraduate degree in medicine, where he came across many patients whose visual impairment issues were easy to treat – in fact, most could be cured by simple operational procedures. “Instead,” he remarked, “these patients would go through life struggling with very basic day-to-day activities and feel as if they are a burden on society.”
Doctor Rawoofi, one of six recent graduates from NOOR’s Ophthalmology Residency Programme, at work in one of IAM’s NOOR Kabul locations.
What Doctor Rawoofi noticed at medical school was a small sampling of a country-wide problem – that much of the blindness and vision impairment in Afghanistan is not only treatable, but often preventable. This issue was later confirmed for him as he read medical journals that highlighted the lack of access to information about eye care across Afghanistan, as well as the lack of access to basic eye care services in many parts of the country.
“By reading the journal, it inspired me to select this field, knowing that I could one day help those people to see again.”
Rawoofi came across the IAM website, where he learned about the specialist programme in ophthalmology at the NOOR Eye Care Training Centre (NETC). When positions opened up, he was quick to apply, eager to not miss out on the opportunity. After completing the assessment and application process, he succeeded in securing a position at a NOOR hospital as a resident doctor.
“After visiting NETC and seeing the hospital staff, facilities, and professors, I knew I made the correct decision, where my hopes and dreams of helping people can become a reality.” Rawoofi was in a cohort of six doctors who graduated this year, and is excited to have joined the work force at one of IAM’s NOOR locations, where he continues to help those with vision impairment.
“Upon completing the specialist programme and seeing joyful faces of patients who were blind and can now see, I get the feeling of exhilaration and tremendous energy knowing that I was partly responsible in helping the patient see the beauty of this world.” Rawoofi knows that his journey doesn’t end here, and hopes to embody the IAM value of learning throughout his career. “I am also determined to leave no stone unturned in learning and working more to improve on my knowledge and skills.”
Rawoofi urges others to dream big and work hard in order to help others. “By dedication and hard work, [your dream] can be turned into a reality,” he encourages. “Side by side we can help our people, and we can be the source of relief, hope and vision.”