Learned eight languages, got married and became a doctor in Borisov — the story of a medic from Turkmenistan

When Izat Medeminov came to Belarus, which was almost nine years ago, he was only thinking about his studies. But today, almost every second person knows him at Borisov polyclinic №2, writes 'Minskaya Prauda'.

But that's not even the main thing. His entire large Turkmen family moved to a foreign country after him: parents, brothers, sister. And today, his father and middle brother work in Borisov, the younger ones study at a university in Minsk, his mother came to visit — and no longer wants to leave, because her grandchildren are here.

How did a simple guy from Turkmenistan manage to build a career in Belarusian medicine, not be afraid of the baptism of fire of COVID, learn eight languages and propose to a Belarusian girl precisely on New Year's Eve? This is the conversation during a break between a home visit and an evening appointment.

An hour between appointments

The meeting with Izat takes place in a rare moment of silence — between his return from morning home visits and the start of evening patient appointments. The time is about an hour. It's quiet in the corridors for now, but the nurses are already arranging the patient cards.

Павялічыць

Izat Khamidovich Medeminov sits at his desk in a fresh medical coat, reviewing lists. He is 29. Behind him are six years of work in the polyclinic and three years of COVID, when he made home visits in 30-degree heat wearing 'plastic' suits. But there's no sign of fatigue on his face: Izat looks younger than his years, and his smile wins you over from the first minute.

— I came to Belarus in 2017 from Turkmenistan. In August, it will be exactly nine years," he says calmly, speaking good Russian. "A relative advised me. She was already studying here and said: 'You can get a decent education here, gain experience.' Well, I decided to try. And it turned out to be more than I planned. Much more…

— First, I met a girl. A good one, Belarusian. I got married. Today we already have two sons. Secondly, my entire family moved here. Everyone — from my parents to my younger sister," the young man clarifies.

«I didn't want to study in a separate group for foreigners. I wanted to be with the locals»

His path into the profession began at the Borisov Medical College. Izat only had a school education behind him — but he prepared in advance: he learned Russian in his homeland so as not to feel like an outsider.

— When I arrived, I already knew Russian well and even some other languages. So I enrolled without problems. I passed the tests well. At the college, they wanted to transfer me from the second year to a separate group for foreigners. But I refused. Why? Firstly, it would become uninteresting. Secondly, many of those who came didn't know the language well. I simply wouldn't have learned well with them. But with the locals, with Belarusians, it was easy and comfortable for me.

But there was one difficulty.

— The teachers dictated very quickly, and I wasn't studying in a foreign group," Izat smiles, recalling. "I simply couldn't keep up with taking notes. But you know what? Not all local students kept up either. I didn't see it as a tragedy. I just studied a little more than others.

In his group, among foreigners, there were only him and one other girl from Turkmenistan. The rest were Belarusians. He studied under general conditions, without leniency.

— And that's correct," he adds. "If a person wants to become a medic, they must be able to work in any environment. And not just among 'their own'.

«There was no fear during COVID! I came to help people»

After college, Izat could have left — the assignment for foreigners did not oblige them to work off their studies. But he chose to stay.

— At first, I wanted to work in an ambulance, but it didn't work out. I got a job at polyclinic №4, and in 2020, I was transferred here, to the second one. And I've been here for almost six years now.

2020 — a year many medics recall with horror. But Izat speaks of it without pathos, almost casually.

— It was immediately a 'baptism of fire' for me. I arrived — and immediately into the 'epidemic'. We went to homes in full coveralls, in respirators. In summer, when it was +30°C outside, — it was hard in the suit, like in 'plastic'. Hard, yes. But there was no fear. None at all. I came to help people, not to sit in an office. Anyone can sit and not take risks.

Павялічыць

70-80 people per shift. Analysis, wheezing, pneumonia cases. He recalls how colleagues supported each other.

— We coped," Izat emphasizes proudly. "I could turn to any senior doctor with a question — they never refused. That helped a lot. And in general, I want to say that this polyclinic has an excellent team. A friendly team, we support each other.

«Learned 8 languages — not perfectly, but I can converse»

The main wealth of Borisov polyclinics is their patients. The most diverse. Izat admits that a significant part of the city has passed through his office and rounds. And this makes him happy.

— I have about one and a half thousand people in my area. Mostly private houses, few high-rises. And what's very convenient — everything is geographically close to the polyclinic. I can cover it on foot in a couple of hours. You know, just in one day of visiting patients 'at home', my watch shows a minimum of 30-40 thousand steps. That's why I'm in good physical shape," he laughs.

Belarus is a multinational country. In Borisov, as in the country in general, people of various nationalities live. Interacting with them, Izat expanded his linguistic treasury.

— I came to Belarus already knowing several languages — I studied them back in my homeland," he explains. "But here, in Belarus, I learned a few more. As a result, I can say that I know eight languages. Don't say that I master them perfectly — no. But I can converse in simple phrases. In Turkic, Azerbaijani, Uzbek, and also in other languages. Simply because it's a multinational country around me. I talk to Borisov residents, and they are of different origins. Someone asks in their language — I answer. Someone suggests a new word. Such communication is the best textbook, better than any self-teacher.

And he also studies the Belarusian language.

— My wife is Belarusian, after all. I wanted to know her native language. Moreover, at the college, there were teachers who gave lectures in Belarusian and provided texts.

So now I know the basic words: 'please', 'thank you', 'goodbye'. And then others: 'potato', 'onion', 'beets', 'food', 'to one's liking'... These are the main words that will definitely be useful in life. Agree, without 'potato' and 'onion' there's no way in the kitchen," he smiles.

«Patients are different, but I understand them all»

When a foreign medic comes to work in a Belarusian polyclinic, the reaction can be varied. Izat doesn't hide this.

— It varies. There are very grateful patients. They come, they thank. There are also those who are not so much — but that already depends on the person. I try not to pay attention to it. The main thing is to help," he shares.

Over the years, patients' attitudes towards him have changed.

— Now many people greet me on the street. They walk around the city and say: 'Good day, doctor!'. Honestly, I don't always recognize them. Because I'm one, and there are hundreds of patients. In six years, I've probably seen half of Borisov. But it's always pleasant when they greet me. It means you're doing something right.

He recalls how at first some female patients were shy around him. They asked: 'Are you really a doctor? And where did you study?'. Now, Izat laughs, those same elderly women only come to him. Because he knows how to listen to them.

— In medicine, the main thing is not pills. The main thing is attention, so that a person believes you will do everything possible to help them, that you are on their side.

«The difference in Belarusian medicine — a lot of people»

Izat clearly remembers medicine in his homeland. He compares without nostalgia, rather with professional interest.

— As for treatment and preparations — everything is practically the same. Everything is standardized in the world, so there are no questions. But there is one big difference.

He pauses.

— In Turkmenistan, people don't go to polyclinics that often. It's not customary for us. People go to the hospital only when it's already very serious: fell, lost consciousness, ambulance took them. Therefore, our polyclinics always have empty corridors. Both in winter and summer — only a few people. But here — many. Very many.

Павялічыць

— But isn't it hard for you here?

— Hard? No. I'm used to it. This is my job. And I love it.

«My entire family is now in Belarus»

The conversation involuntarily shifts to the topic of home. Not the Turkmen one, but the current one — in Borisov.

— My entire family moved here. Father, two brothers, mother, sister. At first, they came to visit, and then decided to stay. It was lonely for my father alone in his homeland — all the children are here, all the grandchildren are here. My mother just came to visit, but I think she will also stay.

The middle brother works with his father — they both got jobs at one of the enterprises in Borisov. The younger brother and sister study in Minsk at the university, in the medical-biological faculty.

Love in the supermarket and a New Year's surprise

They ask about his wife. Izat's face immediately brightens.

— Her name is Lina. She's from Borisov. By profession, an economist, she worked in retail. We met in a store — I often went there. At first we were just friends, talked. And then I realized: kind, beautiful, green-eyed — she captured my heart.

He proposed on New Year's Eve.

— I wanted to make a surprise. And I did. She was very surprised. She said: 'Are you serious?'. I replied: 'Yes'.

The wedding was celebrated in Belarus. And now they have two sons — Ismail and Imran.

Павялічыць

— I chose the names. My wife supported it, because she understands: their patronymic will be Izatovich. With a Belarusian name, it would sound a bit unusual. Therefore, we chose names that combine well.

Medical education, Izat says, helps constantly at home.

— We have small children, under 3 years old. They often get sick, like all children. To avoid calling a pediatrician every day, I manage myself. My wife, of course, is glad that her husband is a medical professional. And proud, probably. And she always supports me.

«I don't plan to study further. The family is already large, I need to support them»

They ask — what about career growth?

— No, I won't study anymore. There's no distance learning in medicine. Only if for a pharmacist, in a pharmacy. But that's not for me — standing behind a counter and dispensing pills. Although the salary there is higher, they say. But I didn't study for that.

— And what are your plans?

— I plan to continue working here, in the polyclinic. I like it. My patients are here, I know the area. And in the future, perhaps, I will think about obtaining Belarusian citizenship. Because my family is here. My children are here. My whole life is here now.

Separately, almost on his own initiative, he asks to convey his gratitude.

— I want to say very kind words about the Department of Citizenship and Migration of the Borisov District Internal Affairs Directorate. Competent, attentive specialists work there. I turned to them with various questions — they always helped, advised. For a person who has come from another country, this is very important. When you feel the support of the state — you feel at ease.

«Plov and Chebureki — my pride»

Just before leaving, they ask about traditions. About what he brought from Turkmenistan to his Borisov home.

— I love to cook. I know how and I love it. My wife likes everything I cook. Our main dish is plov (pilaf). But not the kind that is often made here. Yours turns out, sorry, like porridge with meat. But for us, the main rule is for the rice to be crumbly. Grain by grain. It's an art. And meat, and cumin, and carrots — everything must be right.

— And chebureki?

— Chebureki are the same as yours. Exactly the same. They are also cooked in our country. In general, Central Asia has many dishes made from meat and dough. I know how to make all of them. And at home, when needed, I help — with the children and with household chores. We are a family, after all.

There's a knock at the door. A nurse peeks into the office: 'Izat Khamidovich, the first patient has arrived'. He nods, stands up, adjusts his uniform.

— Excuse me, I need to work.

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