I can't blog about anything interesting (please accept my apology) but I swear I have a worthy reason. You see I am unwell (meaning sick. Really sick) so I've been resting for three days now. My throat hurts badly, you know when you feel like there is a prickly, tingly thing in your throat and every time you swallow anything it burns? That type of hurt. My ears can't hear, my eyes could barely see, my temperature could break a thermometer and my coughing sounds like a 90-year-old man who has been a chronic smoker all his life.
So… I have pulled myself into the kitchen couch with layers of clothing, robe, three meter neck scarf, and two (yes TWO) slippers. I only did this because it's Oprah's 25th season and missing a single show is a life gone to waste.
Dear reader, you see, my recent illness has brought my attention to a HUGE issue in our society. I realized the extent of the issue when a relative came over with an entire bag of medication so that I could recover. There were three different types of tablets that I am supposed to have once every six hours. The size of the tablets are almost as big as the diameter of my esophagus, then there was a bottle of blue-ish, green-ish liquid medication that tasted as disgusting as it looked. The amount of medication brought to me could be suicidal.
Above: The bag of medication that I was assigned!
There are a few matters of concern here 1) the pharmacy sold the medication without a doctor's prescription, 2) the amount of medication I don't believe is necessary 3) No questions were asked about my health conditions (I bring this up because I know for sure certain medications can't be taken if you suffer from certain health conditions) 4) did I mention that I didn't even go to the pharmacy myself?
I decided to take half a tea-spoon of the repulsive liquid medication and I randomly chose one of the three tablets. The problem is that not every individual in our society has the awareness to make a wise choice not to have all the medication they are prescribed. We're playing with people's health here, and it's important that some sort of action is taken to prevent pharmacies in giving medication to anyone who passes by WITHOUT A PRESCRIPTION.
I'm sorry this entry isn't as bubbly and interesting as it could have been. It's just a reflection of my mood right now. Meanwhile, I have my idea for my next article, just waiting to feel better so I can do my investigation in Erbil's medical road!! Be sure I will come back to you with all the details.
* Mum - if I feel better it is because of your home-made remedies & the four aunts: Thanks for the recipes, you're far only in distance but close in my heart!
12 comments:
i dont know if its funny, but two days ago i lost my voice :) - till today i almost cant speak, the sound coming outr from my throat is more than interesting. I am a bit lucky coz it doesnt hurt, but today i started to feel not very good, i think i am going to have temperature - but lucky again - today was my last day at work and next 4 days i have off to get better. Last week at work me and my supervisor kak Maher were singing all shift like Alvin and the chipmunks - kurdish songs of course (Rojgari by Zakaria ) - maybe thats why i am in trouble now :)))
Wish you get better Sazan Xan.
My trip plans changed a bit - 18th to 19th at midnight i am landing in Hewler - already have a ticket !!!!
i just got the email from great person, who is writting about kurdish problems on Kurdistan Commentary (http://kurdistancommentary.wordpress.com/) - telling me that he read the article about me in Kurdish Globe :) - its a bog honour for me Sazan Xan - that my beloved people in Kurdistan get to know about me, like i know about them.
And my request - if possible, can you save a papaer copy of the magazine for me, coz probably in march will be to late to buy it myself, but i wish to have it.
Zor zor supas xushkakam :)))
get well soon!
One more thing to add, most medication of the local market have no effect and useless. We have to bring them abroad to ensure of its validity.
Wondering where is the role of Ministry of Health and Quality Control entities??
My dear brothers and sisters, Kurdistan used to be destroyed by Ba'ath regime for so many years - up to now its so short time the country is buildning up, there are so many things to do and to improve, we have to be patient. I know Kurdistan will slowly achieve the standars of the western world in all branches of life. I hope people will do their best to build up the country.
And waht have been done till now its a great achievment, which i wish others can manage to do withing so relativeley short period of time.
On the topic of visiting the doctors, I've noticed no matter what ailment or illness you have they always say 'do you want the syringe?' What is this syringe, I think they have the elixir of life in it, cause it seems to be used for most health conditions, :-(, Very unfortunate to have a system without liability and accountability, only when it is too late, we had a relative that actually died from one of these syringes....& Sazan, I hope you've gotten better after posting this blog, If not, Hope you do! Take care and read the prescription! My poor father was given eye drops for an ear infection!!...:-(
it is so good that you bring this up, I can't stand the medical processes in this city sometimes. The medical road is a nightmare of its own most of the time. Long waiting hours, and in the end you get 2 minutes with the doctor and 2 kilograms of medication
it is so good that you bring this up, I can't stand the medical processes in this city sometimes. The medical road is a nightmare of its own most of the time. Long waiting hours, and in the end you get 2 minutes with the doctor and 2 kilograms of medication
it is so good that you bring this up, I can't stand the medical processes in this city sometimes. The medical road is a nightmare of its own most of the time. Long waiting hours, and in the end you get 2 minutes with the doctor and 2 kilograms of medication
it is so good that you bring this up, I can't stand the medical processes in this city sometimes. The medical road is a nightmare of its own most of the time. Long waiting hours, and in the end you get 2 minutes with the doctor and 2 kilograms of medication
ok, now i will tell you something interesting. i am in UK - you may think, oh modern, european, civilized country. you should see how medical service is working here... Nightmare. one time one of my brothers broke the head at work and our supoervisior send me with him to emergency hospital - sunday, 3 people in before us waiting to see the doctor. All together we spent 5 hours there - i remind: in emergency unit, my brother has accident and his head was broken. Another example, my houselady went to hospital with 2 month old baby - she spent 10 hours there, since 9 am to 7 pm. when you go to see your doctor - no matter what problem you have, they will give you paracetamol - for any illness. i am serious. so i think in Kurdistan soon will be better than in UK :)))
well there are medications that dont require prescription ....in every country and even a overdose of aspirin could be lethal so the major responsibility lies actually in the hands of the consumer and not the pharmacy....whereas they only do their job and most of the time KUrdish folk do complain when they go to the doctor and receive nothing...Its the Mentality that has to change plus that of the education ministries to awake awerness among various medical staff. And dont ever pop random pills into your system without knowing its effects....Raz
Dear,
My relative has a job offer in erbil. and the visa is almost ready. its in a mall called city centre. do u thing its safe to take up the job considering the recent outbursts in the region. how about the cost of living there?
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