Essential Ndubuisi
By Ikenna Aniagboso
I am well and fit and free. I survived!
I was sick for about three days and like most of us would, I bought and took anti malaria tabs from a pharmaceutical store.
However, l observed that I wasn’t healing rather I was getting weaker by the day. I was also feeling feverish.
So I decided to take a test for malaria and typhoid fever. The result set off the alarm bells. Typhoid was nil and though malaria was positive, it was a single +, a range I assumed normal.
A single ‘+’ for malaria is not a big deal in this part of the world. Any good anti malaria would be enough to deal with it, so I worried that I was still feeling sick and very weak even after treatment.
On Friday, January 15, I called the Anambra State Covid-19 Response Team, headed by the Commissioner for Health, Dr Vincent Okpala and reported my health situation.
The response was swift and that same day, my treatment for Covid-19 started. My sample was taken later and the test result confirmed my status, positive.
Today, 10 days after, I am strong and healthy again. I may not have reported early enough, but I did. I also tried very much to isolate myself while I was treating malaria.
God’s abundant grace and mercy saved me, no doubt, but that call and the timely response of the Commissioner for Health and his team, activated God’s healing power in me through medical treatment.
Before now, I considered myself a frontline advocate for prevention of and protection against Covid-19 in Anambra state. I interviewed patients, interacted with health care providers, visited protective care centres, distributed nose masks and handwashing materials and created awareness as much as I could.
However, I know, deep in my heart, that I failed on many occasions, especially within the Christmas and new year festivities, to observe the hygiene and protective protocols.
We all relaxed after the first wave. People returned home for the festivities in numbers. The occassions were many – marriages, house-warming, title taking, thanksgiving, burial ceremonies, name them.
We broke the protocols like they never existed. We hugged and shook hands. Social distancing was jettisoned, nose masks were non existent for most. Only a few wore it appropriately. For others it was more a jaw mask. The unprotective face shields became trendy.
We momentarily forgot that Covid-19 was still with us. Many never believed in its existence. A lot of bizarre tales were told and conspiracy theories abound. Most disturbing of all is that the dark skinned man is immune to the virus. Some still think it can’t kill Nigerians or Africans.
But the truth is, many have died and many more are struggling to survive. The numbers are increasing daily. Hospitals and health workers in high risk areas like Lagos are almost overwhelmed.
The pandemic is ravaging our society. The vaccine is not here yet and when it comes, we may not be among the first to get the shot.
The only option we have is to protect ourselves and our loved ones as much as we can by observing the hygiene and protective protocols and by wearing nose masks in public places.
If you are in Anambra state, please do not hesitate to call the Anambra State Public Health Emergency Hotlines for emergencies, reports or inquiries on: 09034728047, 09034668319, 08163594310, 09034663273, 08145434416, 08117567363.
Whatsapp – 09033805959
SMS (Text message) – 09074285546.
THE COVID-19 TEST IN ANAMBRA STATE IS FREE! TREATMENT IS EQUALLY FREE!
Elsewhere, please obey the local healthcare advisories and government regulations on Covid-19. Also contact the local Covid-19 response team if need be. But most importantly, help to create more awareness and share your Covid-19 experience to save lives.
Thanks to the Anambra State Government under the proactive and humane leadership of Gov Willie Obiano, the capable and responsive state ministry of health and Covid-19 response team led by Dr Vincent Okpala, the loving care of my darling wife, close relatives and dearest friends, and to the Glory of God, I survived. You can!
Ikenna Aniagboso
January 25, 2021.
