IMAGE CREDIT IS MINE
Being a medic, I knew what would benefit my parents in terms of their health. I used to stock up on many over-the-counter medications, such as antimalarials, antibiotics, analgesics, etc., as a quick intervention and, most times, complete treatment and resolution of disease conditions that came knocking. It's fine; they are appreciative and proud to have their son as a medic who is available to treat rather than struggle at any hospital to access care.
SCREENSHOT IMAGE IS MINE
Three years ago, I got a job with the health insurance organization here in Nigeria, and I understood better what health insurance meant. A few months later, I enrolled my mother as an 'EXTRA' dependent on myself at an annual cost of N15,000, which is about $10. You will agree with me that that was a commendable step. The challenges, however, I encountered were that I practically had to remind my mom to go to follow-up clinics. She still prefers me checking her health status with my equipment whenever I come home. I didn't relent in encouraging her to visit the hospital when necessary, seeing that I had paid for her health in advance. About two weeks ago, I got a call from her. She was at her hospital, and she had symptoms of upper respiratory tract infection and malaria. I volunteered immediately to join her at the hospital so as to facilitate her seeing the general physicians, but she declined. She was placed on medications, which she used religiously. I checked on her and ensured I did not interfere with the treatment she was placed on. However, I encouraged her to go back to the facility if there was no significant improvement. Thankfully, she recovered perfectly from those symptoms. There are still some drugs I do buy for her because of their quality, which is often substandard at the general pharmacies, but I am greatly relieved of a significant part of those expenses. Nothwithstanding, I will not hesitate to intervene when the need arises even though she may not want to alert me as she knew I would spring up to her without a second thought.
I have some special and private patients that I am encouraging to obtain the health insurance package, which has just recently become mandatory in Nigeria but has yet to be enforced. Spending N15,000 annually as a form of health insurance on behalf of my parents and special patients surely relieves me of the financial burden. Enrolling people into health insurance at the cost of $10 gives me better satisfaction as a help than giving money to people whenever they come knocking with an ailment.
Hopefully, I will target a few people and pay for their health insurance while I encourage them to be productive or perhaps become bloggers on Hive so they can get some rewards. I believe empowering people stands the test of time beyond being interventional when their needs arise.
Also, even though I'm a medical doctor, I walk into clinics and access care as an average patient would. This gives me a second opinion of my ailment, and I try as much as possible not to disclose my identity to doctors that do not know me or even interfere with their treatment plans. However, I could opt for better-branded drugs at personal cost when I feel those I will be offered are substandard.
Staying healthy for me and those of my family and friends means I will have more energy and resources to focus on my work, be productive, and, in a way, enjoy quality time here on Hive.
Thank you for reading. I would love to have your comments and contributions.