There’s a saying that goes thus, “Assumption is the lowest form of knowledge.”
I agree.
Especially when it has to do with your health, never assume. Instead, go for a test. Be sure about your health conditions rather than result in self-medication.
Tekedia Mini-MBA edition 16 (Feb 10 – May 3, 2025) opens registrations; register today for early bird discounts.
Tekedia AI in Business Masterclass opens registrations here.
Join Tekedia Capital Syndicate and invest in Africa’s finest startups here.
Last year, September 2018, I had a slight fever accompanied by headache and stomach upset.
“it’s malaria” – my assumption.
I quickly ran to a nearby clinic and explained to the pharmacist. I told him to give me some malaria tablets and a pack of Flagyl. Since I was having stomach upset, a pack of Flagyl would do well. He did sell everything I asked for and I used according to his prescription.
A few days after, it got worse. My health condition didn’t improve. I went for another type of malaria drugs and some antibiotics. Perhaps, those drugs I used were not working. It never cured my ailment. I continued managing my health. I assumed that the change of environment could be the reason why I feel sick.
Three weeks after, I couldn’t bear this anymore. I started feeling weak and almost fainting. I gave up on my assumptions and visited the hospital
The doctor immediately sent me for a diagnostic test. I was scared of the outcome.
Who knows what could be wrong with me?
The result – ”typhoid and enteritis”.
Wow! I have never heard of enteritis since I was born.
I Google searched and read many materials I found online. Hmmm, the way forward, I was asked to go for a scan. The doctor wanted to be sure if much damage hasn’t been done.
I went for a scan. Luckily, there was no damage done to my system, but I was still having internal pains in my lower abdomen.
However, I was not given any drugs because I had abused a lot of them while trying to treat myself based on my assumption.
My meal was changed totally. I was restricted from taking pepper. For nine months, I ate food without pepper. As an African man, it was weird. I had no choice.
I got healed completely in June, 2019.
Thanks to the support I got from Nonye Aghanya, a US clinician.
Here’s what I learned from the experience:
- Never joke with your health
- Stop self-medication because it kills faster
- Stop prescribing drugs for yourself or anyone
- Get tested for more clarification
- Almost all the sickness starts with fever and headache.
Dear pharmacist, stop selling drugs to people without a doctor’s prescription.
Stop killing people just to make a profit.
Say No To Self-Medication!!!
I like your last sentence.
Phamarcists really need to stop selling drugs without prescription.
Well written nice job…though I have found self medicating to be cheaper and easier those types of diseases aren’t common in America. Everyone should be seen by a professional the only issue is not everyone can afford that.
YES, IT’S GENERALLY AGREED THAT SELF MEDICATION IS DANGEROUS AND CERTAINLY SHOULD BE DISCOURAGED BUT THE SOCIO-ECONOMIC REALITY IS THAT MOST NIGERIANS HAVE LIMITED OPTIONS ON THIS ISSUE.
ADDED TO THAT IS THE FACT THE PUBLIC HEALTH SYSTEM IS RICKETY AT BEST, MANNED, IN MOST CASES, BY RUDE AND INCONSIDERATE PERSONNEL, AND THAT’S JUST TIP OF THE ICEBERG.
Good write up.. However your statement “stop killing people just to make a profit” assumes Pharmacists generally sell medication only to profit from patients.
Also understand that if every pharmacist had to wait all the time for a doctor’s prescription before dispensing medication, countless people would have died before seeing a doctor. The health space in Nigeria is more complex than your article admits.
What we often advocate for is in better Clinical practice even in pharmacies. For instance, an rdt could have been done to find out if you have malaria. I can go on and on