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Some topics are very funny but insightful , like this one. Health advice is something we often receive from medical professionals such as doctors, nurses, pharmacists, and others who have spent years studying the human body. But funnily enough, when health issues arise, you'll find all manners of people dishing out medical advice , both health practitioners and non-health practitioners alike.
One of the funniest health advice I ever received was from my mum. During the bird flu outbreak in Nigeria, people were panicking and seeking remedies. The public was advised to stay indoors, avoid handshakes, refrain from eating uncooked food, wear nose masks in public, and so on.
However, the funniest advice came when my mum called me one Saturday morning. After exchanging pleasantries, she said, "After this call, just put salt in water and be drinking it."
I asked, "What for?"
She replied, "Because of this bird flu."
Hahahahaha! I burst into laughter.
"Nsi, you're not always serious! I'm saying something important, and you're busy laughing," she interrupted my laughter.
"But who gave you people this prescription?" I asked.
"Do what I said , that's what others are doing," she responded.
Again, I couldn't help but laugh. Just because others were drinking salt water didn't mean it was the cure for bird flu. Besides, no medical professional had prescribed it. Did I take it? No. But I know a lot of people did — only to end up with high blood pressure or other complications.
On another occasion, during the popular apolo (conjunctivitis) outbreak, I was affected , probably from my students. One of our staff members noticed my red eyes and asked if it was apolo. When I confirmed, he said, "When you wake up tomorrow morning, use your morning urine to wash your eyes."
Another funny prescription!
"Sir, you want make I go spoil my eyes?" I jokingly replied in pidgin.
"No, it will work," he insisted.
I said, "Okay," and left. Did I try it? No.
Looking back, I realize that although these prescriptions were not scientifically proven, they were given out of love and a desire to protect us. Who knows? Maybe one day, science will prove some of these funny prescriptions to be effective. But for now, we'll stick to medical prescriptions.
