Professor Ameena has been recognised for her contributions to public health. She currently lives in Geneva, working in global child health. Here she tells her story, how she had the opportunity to study and then focus on Mother and Child health. Read on to hear how the practices taught by the School make a remarkable difference to her life. Ameena is a member of the School of Practical Philosophy in Pretoria, South Africa.
Windows of Opportunity
Ameena Goga, Pretoria/Geneva
A decision needed to be made. Was it going to be astrophysics or medicine? It was 1986. What would I do with astrophysics? as a South African? under Apartheid? I decided, at the age of 17, that I would be ‘of more use to the world’ if I studied medicine.
I was lucky to get in… probably something to do with being at the right place at the right time… personal destiny? But I knew nothing about that in 1986.
Medical school was tough and lonely. There were lots of egos – narrowly focused, with no room for organized, consistent sports or finer things like music or philosophy. The closest we came to philosophy was a course on medical ethics.
Apartheid
It was a medical school in the midst of apartheid – one that accepted only ‘non-white* students to redress imbalances within the country. [* The words ‘non-white’ and ‘white’ students are used according to the old apartheid classifications, and are not intended to offend.]
At that time all the other medical schools in South Africa only accepted ‘white students*’. It was rough. We engaged in political and social struggle, attempting to break down racial discrimination and barriers between different cadres of health workers. We wanted to move towards a society where health is a human right enjoyed by all. I was kept on track by my convictions for equity and justice, by my parents and by the concern of a caring professor.
Opportunity for Paediatrics
By fourth year, I knew that I wanted to work on improving health for mothers and babies, locally and globally. I had no structured pathway but doors opened and opportunities came to the fore when I had faith and put in the effort. I decided to specialize in paediatrics, and mid-way, studied towards a masters degree in mother and child health in London. Once I completed this, I was able to return to South Africa to write examinations. This meant I could get a training post and specialize in paediatrics in my homeland.
Once I completed my paediatric training, the opportunity arose to work as a paediatric consultant and research scientist at a rural research centre. The project examined the effect of breastfeeding patterns in the first six months of life on vertical HIV transmission (i.e. HIV transmission from parent to baby). It was also an opportunity to learn from a global expert on how to counsel and support mothers to breastfeed. Fast forward to 2001, I joined Ministry of Health in South Africa as a child health specialist.
Then, in 2005, came an opportunity to study Epidemiology* at Columbia University in the USA. 2007 brought another opportunity to work in research at the South African Medical Research Council. This allowed the use of scientific principles and methods to search for the truth. [*Epidemiology – study of the who, what, why, how, where and when of infections and non-infectious diseases.]
Challenges
These sterling opportunities were peppered with challenges. There were student strikes, tensions between politically active and apathetic members of the student body, the sudden death of my father in 1991, two days before my final examinations, failing my first paediatric examination in 1995, and a strain in friendships because of work-study pressures and individualistic attitudes.
And I was singled out for not working hard enough as a medical officer. (In fact, most times I was one of a few doctors sitting in the wards attending to sick children – replacing intravenous lines, or writing scripts – all afternoon). Then I also had my own challenges with tuberculosis (and its complications) and breast cancer.
Pause and Breathe
But something kept me going. I didn’t know what it was then. When work got really busy, I learnt to step outside my irritation or tiredness. Then I could attend to the person or patient in front of me. When I had to intubate or resuscitate a premature or new-born baby I would pause, and breathe. Then, as if in slow motion, I could proceed to intubate effortlessly with union between eyes, hands and breath.
Adopting this approach always seemed to result in success. A calm baby, calm nursing staff and a calm doctor – a win-win for all. I learnt to put myself aside in the midst of pressure or in an emergency and do what was necessary for the situation.
Opportunity to meet the School
From 2001, for 7 years I drove past the School of Practical Philosophy in Pretoria, South Africa. I always asked, ‘Who are the lucky people there? What is it about?’ Then finally in 2008, a change in school for our 4 year-old daughter led us to a Principal who happened to have a Nataraja. [ Nataraja – image of the Hindu god Śiva as the divine cosmic dancer.] This was a familiar sight – a home-coming, and started our journey into Practical Philosophy. And I’ve never turned back.
Meditation Opportunity
Something deep inside knew that meditation was for me when it was offered in 2010. Although it took me 5 years to commit to meditating regularly for 30 minutes twice a day, it has been my greatest strength. It has helped me pause and listen when making decisions, resolving conflict or thinking through strategic plans. It has taken me through three pieces of research evaluating the national programme to prevent vertical HIV transmission in South Africa.
Meditation has helped me co-direct a research unit aiming to strengthen the health system. It has guided me when directing a clinical trials research unit and leading a research team in maternal, family, child health and nutrition and working on the Covid-19 pandemic. Meditation has helped me provide appropriate advice at the right time, within a team looking after children with HIV-related acute and chronic lung diseases. It has been my shepherd, enabling me to balance work, student supervision, writing a PhD and being present at home.
More recently, coupled with worldly knowledge and information, the practices I have learnt and continue to learn through the school, guide my work in global child health. These practices have also helped me navigate challenging personal situations. They are my salvation, my rock and guiding light.
Opportunity to Practise
As the needs of the world are constant and high, it often seems like there is not enough time each day and not enough time in general, to do enough or to be enough for everyone. But I now know that paying attention to one thing at a time, pausing, being the observer, embodying the qualities of the limitless and omnipotent, working with the energies, resting in action, meditating, serving, spiritual study (including the study of Sanskrit – which is proceeding ever so slowly) is key.
In the midst of conflict, I remember to be still, or ask ‘What would a wise person do here’? How could the team do better? How can today’s failure contribute to tomorrow’s success? Although my decisions are not always perfect, they are definitely better. Decisions are imbued with more love and compassion, than if my ego had made them alone.
Finding Strength
Apart from meditating twice a day, every morning I draw strength from the prayer:
Om Bhūḥ, Bhuvaḥ Suvaḥ; Tatsaviturvareñyam; Bhargo devasya dhīmahi; Dhiyo yo naḥ pracodayāt.
Body of All, Mind of All Spirit of All, May we meditate on the Supreme, On the All-pervading radiance of the Ultimate source of Divine light, May that inspire the innermost thoughts of our hearts, May peace, and peace and peace be everywhere.
The journey continues. I am extremely grateful to have access to the good company of fellow philosophers, the tools to find my way back to where I began and to be able to recognise the true meaning of life.
See Ameena on YouTube, promoting the Covid Vaccine 3 years ago:
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