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Change is definitely the only constant in life. Being able to adapt to changing conditions is arguably the most useful skill one can develop because change will come one way or the other and in 2020 it’s come in a way no one ever took seriously.
Suddenly no one speaks of Climate Change, road accidents, stroke and in Sikaman we would by now have been lamenting about rains and floods with malaria and cholera rearing their ugly heads while destruction of property reigns supreme. The Almighty has found pity on our unprepared selves once more; by mid-February 2020 I lost sleep because of the fear of rains coming with Cholera and Malaria and our already overburdened and fragile “health-system” having to deal with COVID-19 in addition but even in the absence of an Elijah the rains seem to have taken backstage leaving us to focus on our newly acquired virus. Handwashing and general improved hygiene has also come to the rescue but I hope we will continue along this path to reduce diseases in the future.
As we romance with our new found virus my worry has been that many other diseases have been left to fester and with the spotlight off many silent killers, I shudder to think the havoc they are creating. There is no right or wrong thing to do. SARS COV 2 is an unforgiving virus and brings the best to their knees. Unfortunately it seems to make sure that everyone is kept at home and with social distancing our new catch-phrase even examinations in the medical office may not be as thorough. People are skipping their medication, others have illnesses that could send them to the world beyond but they do not get the right examination or may not even be able to get to hospital. Some pregnant women still bleed profusely while new-borns in dire need of life-saving blood have none because the blood banks have run dry. Someone has to donate before blood can be made available to those who need it; there are no options! Even with the highest standards set for blood donation not many people are stepping forward.
So, is this virus the ultimate killing machine? You lose access to healthcare especially in our setting where not many people can even access their healthcare professional on phone or by email or other means. Then it forces you to stay at home where unfortunately many people end up spend hours on end sitting only to develop clots in their veins and this as we know could end up as a pulmonary embolism which specialises in causing sudden death.
The financial strain, the job losses, tensions at home and many others may lead to STRESS/ANXIETY; the twins who have a penchant to mimic many diseases. We will definitely come out of this COVID-19 terror but in tallying the deaths caused by this virus will we add those it indirectly caused such as sudden death from pulmonary embolism, a massive stroke or heart attack or even septicaemia? What about the suicides from the stress and the many complications of so many other diseases that are clamouring for attention too.
I don’t have answers. Yes we need to focus on COVID-19 but the need to make provision for everyone who may have other diseases has never been this urgent. That headache or cough or sore throat may be another disease, don’t assume its COVID-19 and just isolate yourself. Even if you are so certain it is, then get help immediately. Take your medication if you are on any and exercise or move regularly to avoid forming deadly clots. Being home does not mean you should over-indulge in alcohol; wrong timing. Learn or do something new that you will be proud of after this period.
There are many silent killers lurking in the shadows waiting to pounce on us as we give all attention to COVID-19, I don’t know if it’s out of “jealousy” or we have simply created the right environment for them to cause havoc.
AS ALWAYS LAUGH OFTEN, ENSURE HYGIENE, WALK AND PRAY EVERYDAY AND REMEMBER IT’S A PRICELESS GIFT TO KNOW YOUR NUMBERS (blood sugar, blood pressure, blood cholesterol, BMI)
Dr. Kojo Cobba Essel
(www.healthessentialsgh.com)
*Dr. Kojo Essel is a Medical Doctor, holds an MBA and is ISSA certified in Exercise Therapy, Fitness Nutrition & Corrective Exercise.
Thought for the week – “Coughing, Sneezing, Sore throat, Headaches and body pains will most likely be caused by other illnesses other than COVID 19, get medical advice. Do not make any assumptions.”
