For Dr. Diana Kululanga, true satisfaction comes with knowing that she made a difference in another person’s life.

That is something being a doctor gives her. Of course, she admits that it’s not always the case because while doctors care, God heals.

While in Form Two at St. Mary’s Secondary School in Zomba, Diana decided to become a doctor.

She said: “I wanted to study and pursue a career that would directly touch a life. I looked around and being a doctor made sense.

“I learn of a person’s illness, beliefs, mental health, family, social and economic status; hence, I am able to address all these areas where possible. The direct impact of helping a patient recover from a point of death to life again is joy unspeakable.”

Diana is one of few women who took science, technology, engineering and mathematics (Stem) subjects by the horn which many girls shun.

She described science as a place of getting answers for one’s curiosity and a chance to experiment ideas.

Girls from Good Samaritan where Diana and Dalitso visited to motivate them and donated assorted items

The doctor believes God uniquely created the world, providing science for humanity to be forever in pursuit of new discoveries and be amazed at His greatness.

She cited the science of breathing, pregnancy and childbirth and the effect of drugs on the body as among the few things that puzzle her.

With few girls embracing Stem subjects, Diana observed that most women are yet to learn how to think outside the box.

She said: “I think generally, women are not analytical thinkers. We just believe; hence, love stories and fantasies such as Cindrella, Snowwhite And The Seven Dwarfs and Kadonthiwe.

“My view for science subjects changed when I started seeing the reality of what we were learning. The mere process of seed germination using a bean seed as my teacher Mr. Saiti had illustrated to us steered my immense interest in science subjects.”

Diana admited that science subjects were harder than other subjects, but hard work and the desire to understand yielded good results.

“I have failed before, but I never gave up. Sometimes I even had to ask others to assist me, but in the end, a song of victory was sung,” she beamed.

The genesis of her career in medicine was further enhanced by National Council for Higher Education’s document about their courses and requirements which Diana came across.

She wrote down the requirements, pinned them on her desk and worked to achieve those targets.

Diana got nine points in the Malawi School Certificate of Education and was later selected to the then College of Medicine (now called the Kamuzu University of Health Sciences).

She boasted: “I am proud to say that I passed all my exams without any repeat or supplementary and earned my degrees; bachelor of medicine, bachelor of surgery.

“I then worked as senior medical officer at the Queen Elizabeth Central Hospital for 18 months, a requirement for a medical licence which I earned. After this, I started working at the Malawi Liverpool Wellcome Trust as a junior research coordinator.”

Diana described medicine as an honourable profession, adding: “You have a chance to demonstrate what humanity is. Not everyone can touch or get close to a sick person. Not many can withstand the sight of blood. In this profession, we demonstrate what being brave, courageous, wise, compassionate, patient, understanding and caring really is. We have a chance to meet, interact and understand all kinds of people that our voice is beyond our own. We are usually making sacrifices for humanity.”

Of course, her motivation remains the neighbour’s son who died from malaria.

As a researcher, her work involves gathering information to address problems in the health sector.

These problems could be new, ongoing or recurring diseases or conditions and effectiveness of treatments or tests.

“My area of interest is antimicrobial resistance which is about microorganisms such as bacteria not responding to usual treatment. My work involves coordinating data collection, training and data analysis,” she said.

This interest was developed upon noticing that treating patients was a result of research.

Diana observed: “When treating a patient, we do not just use methods as we desire, but we must practise evidence-based medicine. Research yields the evidence we need to practise medicine. Research answers the question why in medicine.”

Aside from medicine, the doctor is also an entrepreneur to supplement her income.

She said: “I used to think that doctors were the highest paid individuals in this country and I was wrong, [laughs]. Of course, the salary goes up with time like any other field. Reality started sinking in while in my third year in college. While doctors are paid enough to survive, there is need for other sources of money for my dreams and responsibilities.

“Furthermore, in the event that I choose to use my knowledge and skills as a business, I must learn what business is all about, something that is non-existent in my six-year-course. As such, I have embarked on several ventures with my business partner Dalitso Kaluwa and we keep learning.”

They started in 2016 selling hair extensions, weaves , then milk scones, after that sausages and eventually they started baking cakes.

Later, Diana joined 3in1 Events, a local event planning company.

The cake business called DnD Cakes is still striving. She has been working for 3in1 Events for two years now.

In 2021, 3in1 events planned 12 weddings and the Blantyre Premiere for Fatsani movie.

Diana has learnt how to be creative, nurture partnerships and network which are key attributes needed to thrive in business.

She admitted that it wasn’t easy to balance her profession and the business.

The entrepreneur plans her days in advance and uses her free time for business.

Diana observed that one who ventures into entrepreneurship alongside work must be willing to cut their leisure time.

“Not that I don’t take time to relax, but I just can’t spend a whole day on Netflix,” she said.

The events planner described herself as a kind, honest, ambitious, cheerful and hardworking person who wants others to feel good enough and accepted for who they are.

She loves being around people and when she gets the chance, she shares words of wisdom from the Bible.

Diana comes from Makhasu Village, Traditional Authority Mwambo in Zomba.

She is the second born in a family of three—a sister and brother. She is not married.

The researcher went to Rose Garden Private Primary School, Chichiri, Chimutu and Chilomoni primary schools.

Diana was selected to St Mary’s Secondary School. She is currently studying for a master’s degree in epidemiology at the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine through distance learning.

To the girls, she said they ought to dream beyond their hardships and use every resource around them to reach their dreams.

She said nothing comes easy, but through hard work.

“When your strength runs out and your heart grows weary, call on God. He is faithful to rescue you. Be patient, things take time and the world will never run out of men, so leave dating to grown-ups and focus on your goals,” she added.

To the women, she said: “We are not competing against men or each other. We are competing against our beliefs and systems that detour us from dreaming and pursuing our goals. Our ultimate joy should be in achieving our goals while helping others do the same.

“May we never be instruments or obstacles that aid the destruction of reputation, career, marriage that a fellow woman has built. May we grow our skills and knowledge that we prove to be excellent in all that we do at work, in our communities and households.”

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