When Dr Kumail Jaffry is scrubbing in for surgery at one of Australia's busiest hospitals, the refugee who fled Afghanistan is reminded it's a dream come true.
"It's just an amazing feeling. It can't be described in words, to be honest," says Jaffry, 25.
"When I'm scrubbing in, I'm going into the theatre to fulfil a lifelong goal."
Jaffry is a colorectal surgery resident at Victoria's Dandenong Hospital, a major teaching and research hospital serving one of Australia's most diverse communities where more than 130 languages are spoken.
His grasp of six languages is a major asset for this ambitious young doctor — and the hospital.
Kumail Jaffry with his family in Victoria. Source: Supplied / Dr Kumail Jaffry.
"So, I can interpret for patients in multiple languages. And what I've found is that it improves patient trust and autonomy as well as satisfaction."
Life in Afghanistan
His new life as a doctor in Melbourne is a world away from his birth town of Ghazni, a two-and-a-half-hour drive south of Kabul in Afghanistan.
Growing up Hazara in Afghanistan, Jaffry faced many barriers to higher education.
Kumail Jaffry (left) as a child in Afghanistan. Source: Supplied / Dr Kumail Jaffry.
"Our family can be identified as Hazara quite quickly because of the way we look. So, we were easy targets for anyone who would go against us or try to kill us."
Hazaras are among the most discriminated ethnic minorities in Afghanistan and have long faced persecution. Violence has escalated since the Taliban regained control in 2021.
“When I was a child, my uncle was shot dead. So having close members of your family die or disappearing … it's a major barrier to achieving your dreams,” he says.
"If you are constantly being targeted, you have that fear always at the back of your head to even step out of the house let alone going to a university."
Seeking refuge in Pakistan
After his father became ill, Jaffry took on responsibility for his mother and younger brothers.
When he was 11 years old, the family fled across the border into Pakistan.
Kumail Jaffry with his family in Pakistan. Source: Supplied / Dr Kumail Jaffry.
"As my grandparents were already in Australia, they were able to support us to escape, and come to Victoria for a better future."
Conquering his sixth language
Jaffry vividly recalls the challenges he faced arriving in Melbourne as a 12-year-old in 2011, with his mother and siblings, as a refugee from Pakistan.
"I felt that I was in a completely new world. It did feel like a heaven initially," he says.
Kumail Jaffry (left) with his family visiting the Sydney Opera House. Source: Supplied / Dr Kumail Jaffry
"I could barely speak any English. So, at school, I always had someone with me in the classroom.
"They would translate and help me understand what's written in English on the board."
Jaffry says it took him one year to pick up conversational English skills.
The journey to studying medicine
While living with family in the Victorian town of Mildura, an accident impacting his younger brother spurred his decision to study medicine.
"On a trip to Adelaide, we stopped to take our traditional hot tea, and unfortunately my little brother spilled boiling water on his lap. As the only one who could speak English then, I quickly searched for the nearest hospital," he says.
"Due to a staffing shortage, we were sent on to Adelaide. And that's where I saw what it's really like working as a doctor.
"They were compassionate, they were giving everything they could do to help treat my brother.
"Even so, my brother was in severe pain, and we were offered some strong drugs. But being new to Australia we said 'no'. So, for the first few days, he had only mild analgesia. And that's when I learned the importance of using the right language."
Kumail Jaffry at his graduation. Source: Supplied / Dr Kumail Jaffry.
The importance of communication
Monash Health surgeon Dr James Lim says Jaffry's language skills are vitally important on the wards.
"Many of our patients are anxious when they come to hospital, let alone for surgery," Lim says.
"Some have come from difficult backgrounds, and many who are displaced have faced numerous challenges.
The number of people in Australia who speak a language other than English at home has grown. Source: SBS News / Lilian Cao
Community engagement
These days Jaffry's language skills are also in demand in the wider community.
"I am also working quite closely with local organisations to provide educational sessions in different languages for our refugee and migrant communities, to improve health literacy and prevention — rather than coming to hospital for us to treat them," he says.
Kumail Jaffry (left) with Rob Koch. Source: SBS News / Scott Cardwell
"There are people that have been here for years and are still struggling to understand and engage with the health system. And there are many recent arrivals with high needs," says Rob Koch, senior adviser for community engagement at Monash Health.
Some of the most prevalent languages other than English spoken at home in Australia. Source: SBS News / Lilian Cao
"And patients are grateful that Dr Jaffry is able to speak their language and point them in the right direction."
Kuail Jaffry speaking Dari with a patient. Source: SBS News / Scott Cardwell
What's next for this bright young doctor?
Jaffry has his sights set on becoming a colorectal surgeon "to focus on an area of the body which people really feel uncomfortable to share about".
He also hopes to inspire a new generation of migrants and refugees.
"Hopefully my story will show the children of migrants and refugees that yes, it's hard, but there is a lot of support around you," he says.
"So, don’t give up, give back to the community and that will act as a driving force for you to achieve anything in life."
