Rachel Chihana-Kawalazira
She became a doctor at the tender age of 22 but she has proved that age is indeed just a number. To her what really matters, is dedication, focus and passion. Now at 27, Rachel Chihana-Kawalazira is the medical officer at Mzuzu Central Hospital. She has also worked as district health officer (DHO) for Ntcheu District Hospital for two years where she was actively involved in improving maternal and child mortality. In this interview, she shares her contribution to safe motherhood and her rise in medicine with PAIDA MPASO.
Tell me about yourself?
I am Dr. Rachel Chihana-Kawalazira from T/A Chikulamayembe in Rumphi. I spent my childhood in Lilongwe and Blantyre. I did my primary at Walani Private School in Lilongwe, attained my junior certificate at Joyce Banda Foundation and my Malawi School Certificate of Education at Marymount Girls Secondary School.
I was born in a family of six with four girls and two boys.
How has it been to become a doctor at such a young age?
I do not see anything strange in qualifying at such a young age. I am not treated any different by my patients or people in general. The only thing I have noted is that many have a problem with me being a woman rather than a young doctor. I am constantly mistaken for a nurse. I come across patients who prefer to be examined by a male doctor. It is all about the perception that women cannot be doctors.
How do you deal with such stereotypes?
I laugh and politely educate them. I understand that their attitudes are based on the illiteracy levels of such people.
What was your experience working as a DHO?
I learnt so much from this challenging post. It was not easy to head such an institution, particularly in an economical crisis like the one we are in. But I must admit that my tenure gave me a good experience, as the saying goes that it is the difficult times that make us sharper. Now I am working as medical officer at Mzuzu central hospital because I needed to move closer to my husband who is working at Rumphi District Hospital as the DHO.
I have been mistaken for the DHO’s secretary at times where people would walk into my office and ask to meet the DHO. This never killed my spirits and it would be business as usual for me. What I needed was mutual respect and that is exactly how it went on.
What was challenging about that task?
Work was too much because I had to combine my practice with clinical work and administrative issues. But it is all about working with people and team spirit that makes one a good manager. I owe my success to my colleagues’ support.
What is your advice to the youths?
Nothing is impossible and youths should realise that they can achieve whatever they want regardless of age or gender. What is required is focus and determination.
What is your most important professional achievement?
When I was in Ntcheu, I was involved in sensitising people on issues of safe motherhood. I worked with Senior Chief Kwataine who is the chair person of presidential initiative on safe motherhood. I worked in over twelve villages within Ntcheu spreading the messages on best practices for safe mother hood. My experiences in working with mothers revealed big knowledge gaps on matters of child birth. With my initiative during the two years at the hospital, I noticed a change of mindset with people adhering to good standards. It is one initiative that transformed the district tremendously. Culture is very difficult to penetrate or eradicate and unfortunately, it is what dominates most villages. It has a way of getting in the way of development and change. As DHO, I, together with my colleagues took the challenge of wading our way through tradition and brought about the needed change. Today, we are singing a different song.
As a role model to many, what is your career advice?
You will meet many people who will try to scare you out medicine as a waste of time. You may end up withdrawn as they make it sound like a profession out of this world with only unique minds destined to succeed. I should know better because I experienced it. My argument is that every course has its challenges, be it humanities, engineering or accounting. Focus and determination will get you there.
Describe your upbringing.
My parents have made me what I am today. They believed in me even before I realised my full potential. There is no greater support than when those close to you believe in you. I would like to take this opportunity to thank them greatly for that. They live in Blantyre.
Do you have any more ambitions?
I want to specialise in renal, among other things.
What do you do in your spare time?
I like spending it with family and also trying out new recipes in the kitchen. I love meet, preferably roasted.
What do you like wearing?
Those who know me will testify I like long clothes, the kind that will “sweep the floor” as you walk. They must be long but that is long but well fitting.
