US-based mum and daughter doctors to build hospital in Ghana
Dr Cynthia Kudji, the 49-year-old mother and her daughter, Jasmine, who went viral on social media for completing medical school together, are set to achieve another milestone.
They are not resting on their oars as they set sights on establishing health facilities in the US, and in Ghana, their motherland.
Graduating in 2020 has been timely as their skill as health professionals are critical amidst the COVID-19 pandemic.
Cynthia was born in Kenyasi in the Ashanti Region in Ghana, but departed at age two to join her parents in the US.
Single-handedly, she raised Jasmine after giving birth at 23 years old, and the two have been unstoppable.
Dr Jasmine Kudji, who is 26 years old, was inspired to enroll in medical school after an encounter on a family trip to Ghana.
In her mother’s village in Kenyasi, a child suffered from fever, and all the assistance she could offer was to put the child in water to cool down.
After a challenging journey to beat the odds to achieve an unprecedented feat to graduate at the same time, it is their ambition to help the societies that have shaped their lives.
The two doctors had an exclusive interview with theghanareport.com where they disclosed their vision to uplift others in need.
Jasmine said their focus now is to, “Help people who want to better themselves”.
Additionally, “We also see ourselves having our clinic either here in the US, also in Ghana”.
Cynthia confirmed, “It would be nice to build a hospital in Ghana”.
Using their inspirational story, they want to mentor young people to break stereotypes to make a mark.
“It would be nice to get into the school system [in Ghana] and educate. It would be nice to encourage our young people and give them a true path to success and not just talk but actually help through eg. step one, step two, step three,” Dr Kudji disclosed.
The two have set up a blog to provide information on career guidance and to use their experiences to inspire others.
Not only are they focused on supporting the younger generation but “older women who want to change careers, single mothers, young men who want to build their dreams.”
They have their shoulders at the wheel as they support the fight against the deadly coronavirus pandemic causing havoc across the globe.
The two are expected to proceed with their medical careers at the Louisiana State University (LSU) Health in Louisiana, starting July 1, 2020. Cynthia will be in family medicine while Jasmine’s career will be in general surgery.
Having been involved in the management of coronavirus-stricken patients in the US, the two had some insights to share.
“We are getting the message across, and I think we just have to continue to educate” the public on prevention and staying safe, Cynthia noted.
Almost 7million cases have been recorded, with 3.4 million recoveries and a little over 400,000 deaths as of Saturday, June 6, according to tracking website Worldometer.com.
World leaders are making frantic efforts with funds and research to get a cure and vaccine for the deadly contagion ravaging many countries across the globe.
At the same time, Madagascar President Andry Rajoelina is promoting the herbal tonic Covid-Organics as a coronavirus cure. However, the World Health Organization (WHO) maintains that there is no proven cure that exists.
Multiple trials are underway in several African countries to determine the efficacy and obtain scientific proof to back the claims or otherwise of the potential of Covid-Organics.
While acknowledging that she was not 100% familiar with Madagascar’s herbal intervention, Jasmine pointed out that in medical practice we don’t shy away from traditional medicine”.
However, such remedies could only be recommended if “it is working for you, and it is not negatively affecting your health”.
She advised in instances where people’s condition requires “professional medical help, we encourage you to get to your physician.”