Defying the odds…– Young doctor succeeds despite severe challenges

By Danielle Campbell

Kumarie Kooseram has always been on top of her game and had grown use to being an A-student all her life.
So it came as no surprise when she emerged best graduating student after sitting the Common Entrance exams (now National Grade Six Assessment), second best at the Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate (CSEC) and best again at the A-Levels.
Her success was again well-deserved when she was adjudged best graduating student at the recent 46th Convocation of the University of Guyana’s medical programme.
Kooseram grew up at Bladen Hall, East Coast Demerara with her parents and an older sister, Suzie. She describes herself as jovial and her childhood as normal and acknowledged that she has always done well at school.
Kooseram admits that she has never really been fascinated by sports, but enjoys a good workout at the gym. “I used to like biking but the minibuses on the public road would scare me to death so I no longer bike,” the 24-year-old said.
She also enjoys reading and crime shows such as NCIS, CSI, Criminal Minds, Law and Order, and therefore television takes up a lot of her time.
Kooseram attended the Annandale nursery and primary schools, and after topping her class, she earned a place at President’s College.
But during her high school years, when Kooseram was just 13, something dreadful happened to her father, Harry Kooseram.
On April 15, 2002, Kooseram’s dad, who was a detective sergeant at the Vigilance Police Station, was shot six times on his way to work.
Harry Kooseram was just 37 years-old and had just celebrated his 18th wedding anniversary when he was killed during a crime wave that rocked the Eastern Guyanese corridor.
Police said Kooseram died in a carefully planned ambush on the Stratespey Public Road, a short distance from his home when a lone gunman, carrying a weapon wrapped in paper, calmly approached and shot him.
Kooseram’s wife, Phulmattie, said her husband had just left home for work at 06:30h on a bicycle and it was drizzling at the time.
“… about two minutes after, me and my small daughter were still on our verandah when we heard gunshots, which I initially thought were squibs,” the woman said.
However, one of her daughters suggested that the sounds had in fact sounded like gunfire.
When the family rushed out, Kooseram had been shot twice in the chest, twice in the abdomen and once in the ribs.
The policeman was known to be understanding, tolerant and humane in his approach to his work, and was described by many as kind, pleasant, friendly, quiet and well-respected.
Police Superintendent Leon Fraser of the Anti-Crime Unit had been killed only a few days before on April 2, 2002, and it was said that the two had recently collaborated on a high profile case.
Questioned on how she was able to cope with her father’s death, Kooseram said her dad’s death was a life changing event.
“Losing a parent at a very early age is difficult for anyone, especially when you’re at the age where you are now finding yourself. I started to become more focused… I can’t say what kept me going, but the idea that I needed to be there to support my mom and to ensure she was taken cared of… I guess along with all the other support from family and friends.”
Being generally strong-willed, Kooseram disclosed that she persevered to perform her best at school and attain a quality education.
After completing secondary school, Kooseram enrolled in the medical programme at the University of Guyana, and at age 24, graduated on top of her class.
Asked to salute some of the most influential persons in her life, Kooseram remarked that “everyone you meet has an influence on your life”.
“My mom and sister; those who helped me out financially… I had lecturers who were playing a big role…”
Kooseram disclosed that she was not too surprised when she received her exam results as she has always been a high achiever.
“I was feeling triumphant. I was happy that my hard work finally paid off. It goes to show that hard work does not go in vain.” Disclosing her future plans, Kooseram revealed that she has decided to complete her one-year internship programme before going on to a post- graduate in general surgery.
Asked whether she would do anything differently, Kooseram said, “I never look back and regret anything. Every mistake you make you could learn something from it. I made it my duty to learn from my mistakes.”