KOTA BARU: Despite his dedication and expertise in patient care, a young medical doctor has been quietly enduring his suffering caused by advanced kidney failure for the past four years.
Dr Mohamad Zulkifli Ayub, 27, has no choice but to undergo peritoneal dialysis or water cleansing four times a day, just like the patients whom he treats.
He said it was tough initially in accepting his condition, especially since he received the heartbreaking diagnosis while he was still studying.
However, he tried to console himself and accepted his fate to rise against the odds of his kidney disease.
"When I found out about my condition, I was really upset to the point where my dream of becoming a doctor seemed buried.
"I had never been sick before, but when I was diagnosed, the disease was already at stage five. I asked the doctor many times because I couldn't believe it and wondered how to continue studying and regularly undergo dialysis at the same time," he said.
In the beginning, he just cried, and it took him almost three months to accept his condition.
"I also thought about quitting my studies and staying home, but then I thought again, what will I work and if I don't work, what will I eat?
"At that time, I was in the sixth semester of third year medical studies, with two more years left," said Dr Zulkifli, who has been working at Raja Perempuan Zainab Hospital (HRPZ) II here since June last year.
Dr Zulkifli said his family knew about his condition from the beginning, and they encouraged him to continue his studies and pursue his dream of becoming a doctor.
With his family's support, he persevered in his studies even though he momentarily lost motivation due to the death of his mother, Midah Mamat, three years ago. She had died of the same illness that was afflicting Dr Zulkifli.
"My mother always gave me strength, so when she was gone, I lost motivation immediately. But considering my mother could endure the illness, why couldn't I? So, I tried to fight the disease too.
"Besides, becoming a doctor is my childhood dream because at that time, my parents were always sick, and I was the same too. So I thought if I became a doctor, I would definitely be able to help people," he said.
According to him, although he needs to undergo dialysis, the treatment does not disrupt his work routine.
He also does not share his story and suffering with patients because he wants to deal with them professionally.
"When I see the patients' faces, I am enthusiastic to provide the best service because I understand their feelings since I am going through something similar.
"Alhamdulillah, the work is going smoothly, and regarding the post on TikTok, I actually just wanted to share a part of my life journey, which despite being sick and tested, I did not lose hope.
"I didn't expect to receive attention and much positive feedback, so it gives me even more encouragement to continue living," he said.
Dr Zulkifili is about to receive a kidney donation from his father, but the date of surgery has not been decided as they are still waiting for their doctor's decision.