Working in healthcare has always felt like a calling, but it’s only in recent years that I’ve come to see how deep an impact it can have—especially in non-communicable disease care. For a long time, our role in the clinic felt routine: check blood pressure, refill prescriptions, remind patients about follow-ups. But once the new programme began, everything shifted.
We started seeing patients in a different light—not just as people passing through our doors, but as individuals with their own challenges, habits, and questions. I began taking more time to talk, really talk, to the people who came in. Most weren’t aware of what their readings meant, how food affected their blood sugar, or even why they needed to keep testing. I found myself doing more listening than ever before.
One thing that surprised me was how often people just needed someone to break things down simply. It wasn’t about bombarding them with medical jargon—it was about making the information accessible, even relatable. I’d use examples from everyday life, talk them through the small changes they could make, and show them how those changes would help. Many told me it was the first time anyone had taken the time to explain these things in a way that made sense.
There’s one patient who still stands out to me. He’d been living with diabetes for years, but he never really engaged with his care. He’d show up just to collect his medication. After a few conversations, I saw a shift in him. He started asking questions, bringing in his lab results, even changing how he ate. It felt like a small victory—not just for him, but for me too.
This work has changed how I see my role. It’s no longer just about handing over medicine or updating a chart. It’s about encouraging people to play an active role in their own care. There’s a sense of shared responsibility now—between us and the people we care for. And that, to me, is what healthcare should be.